“Gary Danielson Unveils Shocking Truth About SEC Bias in Candid Retirement Confession”

After over three decades of navigating the highs and lows of college football broadcasting, Gary Danielson is gearing up for his swan song with CBS Sports as he prepares to bid farewell after the upcoming 2025 season. Known for his candid analysis and deep-seated knowledge of the game, Danielson has made a name for himself, albeit as a somewhat polarizing figure among fans—often affectionately labeled as the “Most Annoying Person in Football Media.” Yet, amid the banter and jokes, his legacy remains undeniable. As he prepares to pass the microphone to NFL analyst Charles Davis, Danielson reflects on his time at CBS with gratitude and insight, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in a field that often leans heavily into bias. Will his retirement impact the college football landscape as significantly as his commentary did? Let’s explore the nuances of his career and the reactions swirling around his departure. LEARN MORE.

Gary Danielson has been covering college football for over three decades. That being said, the 2025 season will be his last with CBS Sports. 

Danielson, who is entering his 20th season with CBS, announced last Wednesday that he’s retiring from broadcasting after the fall. The network has already announced that NFL analyst Charles Davis will be his successor. 

“I have had the greatest seat in the house for 36 years and have loved every minute of it,” Danielson said in a press release. “I have discussed the timing of this moment with CBS Sports leadership over the past few years and we felt it was important I remained with the team during our transition to the Big Ten. As we enter our second full season of Big Ten football and my 20th at CBS Sports, the timing just feels right. I have so much respect for Charles Davis as both a person and an analyst. He is going to shine in this role and fit so well with this team. I have been blessed to work with incredible teammates throughout my career and I look forward to one more memorable season with Brad, Jenny, Craig Silver, Steve Milton and the crew.”

Countless fans joked about Danielson leaving CBS because the network no longer calls SEC games. For well over a decade, he was labeled an “SEC guy” because he spoke highly of programs such as Alabama and Georgia. 

While on former ESPN analyst David Pollack’s See Ball Get Ball podcast, Danielson addressed the narrative 

“One of the things that I tried to do is not to pretend to be an SEC guy. I thought that was an insult to the SEC fans,” Danielson said. “That I just joined in and go, ‘I’m one of you guys.’ I didn’t earn that. You (Pollack) earned that by playing in this league; you grew up. I tried to call balls and strikes and stay in the middle. 

“Did it work perfect? Maybe not. You know, the social media kind of ran with it. But it worked good for me. That was what I liked doing… I respected everything about the whole league and what I was doing every week, I’ll tell you that.” 

Danielson, who has been nominated for several Emmy Awards, will call Big Ten football games this fall. Of course, that won’t stop fans from cracking SEC jokes. 

Related: Everyone Has Same Theory On Gary Danielson’s Retirement