Nantz wraps up his college basketball career on CBS; He took over for Brent Musburger in 1990

Former SI and veteran NFL writer Jim Trotter has not been renewed by the NFL Network. I just so happened to see the exchange between the writer and Commissioner Roger Goodell. Frankly, it put Goodell on the spot. He knew what he was getting himself into. It resulted in a hullabaloo. Bottom line is that now Trotter’s agreement with the league’s won’t be renewed.

New York Post media writer, Ryan Glasspiegel quoted Trotter: “I was informed over the weekend that my contract is not being renewed. I thank NFL Network and NFL.com for the lessons learned and affirmed over the last five years.”

***

No one is better or more invigorating than Jim Nantz, tying together supplemental elements fluidly – into broadcast after broadcast. He invariably identifies anecdotes and shares them with millions in perfect rhythm. When executed neatly, the game is so much richer and the personalities meatier.

Best of luck, Jim. You’ll be missed on hoops too.

***

Greg Gumbel, another one whose NFL play-by-play responsibilities will be truncated next season, still does solid and sufficient work in the studio. In other words, he’s good on the stage and blessed with a soft sounding tone. Gumbel doesn’t take himself very seriously on pre and post game shows. Or so it appears. He’s rarely pushy and almost never says things that are controversial.

He hosts through a large lens which is not easy. Somehow, he gets it done gracefully. Like colleague James Brown on the NFL Today, Gumbel lets the panelists engage in polemics.

***

As for Jay Wright, he’s just starting to get a feel for his new role. There are too many participants between Turner and CBS,  likely to cause spillage. Too much on the listeners ears and viewers eyes.

***

Clark Kellogg is another smartie who bellows brief speeches and can easily cut it down. But how many loud suits? Clark’s a good man.

***

How about standard in coaches’ dress? We try to instill some respect by how we look. Rick Pitino never had an extra wrinkle in a suit jacket. He is a man of perfection.

***

By the way, did you notice that Rex Chapman wasn’t invited back to the coveted CBS seat after a single tourney in 2022. I hope things work out for him.

***

A good number of people have told me they’re disappointed to see Kentucky labor again. They’ve definitely been tarnished a bit. Last title won was in 2012, 13 years. Throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky,  basketball is a religion. Great sales job by current head man, John Calipari who in 13 years has won one, that in 2012!

***

Jim Larranaga, 73, is a humble human being. He led George Mason, a small Virginia school, to the Final Four in 2006. Now, his Miami Hurricanes are headed to Houston, Texas for the Final Four, the Canes first ever. Coach L, as he’s called around campus, grew up in New York, yet has lived out of town since. In addition to Mason and Miami, Jim was a captain of the basketball team at Providence and gained his independence, coaching later at Bowling Green. He played for the Friars under the tutelage of the wonderful Dave Gavitt. Son Dan is a big-time exec at the NCAA and manages the men’s tourney.

Jim is very well liked in the heavily built Cuban Miami community. You could not shake the hand of a better man..

***

On one of the games this past weekend, little guards dominated. What followed, was a lilliput erupted on the floor. So one of the voices said: We’re having, “A little guy’s invitational!”

***

The two key men who make the tournament work financially for CBS are those who drive sales. John Bogusz and Chris Simko, excellent men who maximize revenue. As they say in the business, John and Chris know where every buck is buried. And they somehow get to it.