It’s as Easy as A-B-C With Legendary Help

It’s apparent that when Keith Jackson speaks, executives at ESPN and ABC Sports listen.

Jackson, before announcing his retirement a month ago, recommended that commentating partner Dan Fouts move over one chair and assume his play-by-play job.

That became a reality this week when ESPN and ABC Sports -- they now operate under one umbrella -- announced a number of changes among their college football announcers. One of those changes was pairing Fouts and Tim Brant as play-by-play announcer and commentator on ABC’s West Coast college football package, which consists of mostly Pacific 10 Conference games.

“It’s pretty good having a legend in your corner,” Fouts said from his home in Sisters, Ore.

Fouts worked alongside Jackson for 1 1/2 seasons before being teamed with Al Michaels and Dennis Miller in the “Monday Night Football” booth for the 2000 and 2001 seasons. Fouts rejoined Jackson after ABC hired John Madden for “MNF” in 2002.

During Fouts’ first season with Jackson, in 1998, the veteran broadcaster encouraged the former NFL star to start thinking about play-by-play. Jackson, tired of all the travel, was planning to retire. And he told Fouts, “It might be a good idea for you to think about taking my spot.”

Not many former players have made the switch from commentating to play by play.

Pat Summerall and Frank Gifford did it, but early in their broadcasting careers. Fouts, a Hall of Fame San Diego Chargers quarterback who retired after the 1987 season, immediately went into broadcasting and has been mostly a commentator.

But Jackson knew Fouts could make the switch to play-by-play.

For one thing, it’s in Fouts’ genes. His father, Bob, did play-by-play for the San Francisco 49ers for 20 years. And Fouts himself has done some exhibition season television play-by-play for the Chargers and 49ers.

Jackson did retire after the 1998 season, but a few months later decided to come back after Howard Katz, then the president of ABC Sports, offered him a deal in which he would do West Coast games, thus reducing his travel time.

But his advice to Fouts stuck. When Fouts was reassigned to college football -- and to be Jackson’s partner again -- his new contract stipulated that he be considered to take over Jackson’s role.

Now Fouts, who benefited from having a legend in his corner, is now faced with replacing that legend. But if anyone can handle it, it’s Fouts.

Other ABC-ESPN college football announcing changes include:

* Brent Musburger will be joined by commentators Kirk Herbstreit and Bob Davie on ABC’s new Saturday series at 5 p.m. Herbstreit will continue his role on ESPN’s “College Football GameDay” and working Thursday night games for ESPN. Herbstreit will work the Thursday night games with Chris Fowler, who takes over Mike Tirico’s play-by-play role since Tirico is moving over to ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” package.

* Commentator Paul Maguire, who formerly worked on ESPN’s “Sunday Night Football,” will join the team of Brad Nessler and Bob Griese. It was announced earlier that Mike Patrick, another “Sunday Night Football” alum, would be paired with Todd Blackledge, who returns to ESPN from CBS.