On November 23, 1974 Michigan and Ohio State fought in the fifth battle of the “Ten Year War”—the name given to the storied ten-year rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State under head coaches Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes. But Schembechler and Hayes were not the only Hall of Fame colleges present that day. Joe Paterno, head football coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions, accompanied Keith Jackson, who the Sporting News called “the voice of ultimate authority in college football,” in the booth to provide color commentary for that battle between the Wolverines and the Buckeyes. For Paterno to take the role of a color analyst was unprecedented during this time in college football television production. We aim not only to investigate the reasons as to why the notoriously guarded Paterno would agree to provide color commentary, but also to analyze his performance as a broadcaster, compared to the work of other contemporary college football color commentators.
What is the role of the color analyst?
First and foremost we must distinguish the role of the color commentator and recognize what individuals are qualified to serve as color commentators, specifically for a college football television production. The role of the color commentator is to provide expert analysis about the game and serves as an accompaniment to the play-by-play announcer. Fundamentally the color analyst can take two approaches to his role. He can either provide insight as though he were sitting next to you on your couch, watching the game, or he can take a more professorial approach, going into greater detail when breaking down plays and strategic decisions. It is essential, however, that the color analyst has credibility in order to provide an expert opinion. We often see former players and former coaches in the role of a color commentator after their careers because they are able to provide expert analysis in large part due to their playing or coaching careers and can ultimately draw from this experience. This concept of “experience as credibility” is evidenced by one of the color commentators we will analyze in this project, Max McGee. However, the other color commentator we will analyze is Joe Paterno, who at the time he stepped into the booth was still the head football coach at Penn State. Though plenty of former coaches are commentators, both historically and in the present, even those recently removed from duty—such as ESPN’s Urban Meyer, who worked on their broadcasts last year—a current coach taking that role is almost unheard of.
So why would Paterno agree to provide color analysis for this game even though his Nittany Lions were headed to the Cotton Bowl at the end of the season? Analyzing the decision through a historical approach speaks volumes. In 1974, Paterno was in the midst of a well-documented media blitz, as part of an effort to expand the name and brand of Penn State Football to a broader, national audience. These efforts included the production of TV Quarterbacks—a Penn State focused highlight show—and appearances on 60 Minutes, as well as other national media outlets. When Joe’s son Jay spoke with our class, he said that around that time, Paterno practically went barnstorming around the northeast to spread awareness of his program, and that philosophy was clearly embodied in his decision to join Keith Jackson for ABC. Still, there were obviously not as many opportunities for national exposure through different media as there are today. Perhaps that’s why Paterno led his team to undefeated seasons in 1968, 1969, and 1973, yet did not come out on top of the polls. Therefore, Paterno took it upon himself to take advantage of the opportunities in which he could help to expand Penn State football and thus prevent this from happening in the future. We wonder whether any modern media outlet would, in the middle of a season, permit or encourage a sitting coach to provide color analysis for any game, not to mention, for a game that pitted two national powerhouses and eventual rivals. One would not only assume that there were more qualified color commentators, but also that he would detract from the game. Indeed, this sort of thing would be highly unlikely in today’s college football coverage. But at the time, it was an opportunity for Paterno to initiate the exposure of Penn State.
Paterno as Broadcaster:
Joe Paterno has never been to be one to self-promote, and so it seems only natural that during the course of the game, he rarely brings in his own experiences to the table. It almost seems a waste to have him there—Paterno was, even then, one of the finer young coaches in the business, and yet he seemed reluctant to speak about his time at Penn State, or even his playing career at Brown. But that’s not to say that he wasn’t an enlightening commentator, or that he didn’t provide valuable insight; he simply didn’t insert himself into the broadcast, a lesson that plenty of modern color men could learn from. Paterno rarely says “I,” relates situations in the game to those he’s dealt with in the past, or even acknowledges that he’s had that experience.
Indeed, although ABC thought it necessary to put up a large yellow graphic that declared that Joe Paterno was speaking whenever he took the mic, he almost might as well have been any other well-informed broadcaster. In fact, there are only two times during the game when it is clear that it’s a coaching legend in the broadcast booth—at one point, during a run-down of national scores, Keith Jackson notes the score of the Baylor game, which Paterno remarks is “interesting to [him],” because if Baylor was to win the game, they’d be playing Paterno’s Nittany Lions in the Cotton Bowl in a few weeks. Later, Paterno refers to one Ohio State player as “a good Pennsylvania kid,” hinting at a recruiting battle he may have lost to Woody Hayes years prior.
However, on multiple occasions, Paterno’s lack of experience causes hiccups in the broadcast, especially given the overwhelming experience of his partner, Keith Jackson. Throughout much of the game, the two struggle to develop chemistry—there is little conversational discussion between the two, and when Paterno speaks, it seems almost forced at times. He’s not sure, early on, how to break down replays, and doesn’t particularly offer much insight beyond simply recounting the play. There are long pauses when Paterno isn’t quite sure at what point he should jump in, and, especially early in the game, he stumbles over his words, and his voice is wont to trail off during points of analysis. He and Jackson are almost too careful to avoid speaking over one another, and Joe is often too deferent to the play-by-play man. And perhaps it is a crutch for Paterno to focus solely on the game—and thus, to not worry about talking about players, coaches, or even the context outside of Ohio Stadium on a November afternoon—but it is almost as though he and Jackson are calling it in a vacuum, which is far removed from what we see in more modern broadcasts, which feature ruminations on considerations outside the play on the field with regularity.
But once he gains a level of comfort, Paterno provides color commentary that is about as valuable as any I’ve heard, even though he almost never refers to players by name (and when he does, he’s as likely as not to get that name wrong). For instance, few broadcasters focus on the struggle along the lines—the battle in the trenches—because it’s not obviously visible, and certainly isn’t as obvious as praising the flashier linebackers and running backs. But it’s a football maxim that it is in the trenches where games are won, and so clearly, Paterno has a level of focus towards the offensive and defensive lines that is unparalleled. As a coach, Joe knew that the most important facet to winning a game was to winning the battles along the lines, and he carried that knowledge into the broadcast booth with him. Although he doesn’t spout that clichéd truism, it’s obviously prominent in his mind. Similarly, he focuses almost an inordinate amount of his attention on field position—something that seems almost secondary to fans, but dictates coaching strategy. When Ohio State kicks a field goal early in the fourth quarter, Paterno wonders aloud whether Michigan should have used a timeout before the third quarter ended, so the Buckeyes would be forced to kick into a strong wind, rather than with it at their backs. Where former players would hardly consider those impacts, to a coach, it’s crucial. Similarly, Paterno focuses on the importance of momentum, and what the greater meaning is beyond the impact of the play—something few commentators can speak of with such authority. Strategy is Paterno’s topic of authority, and he uses it to educate and enlighten the listener.
To that end, he offers his own advice frequently. On multiple occasions, he suggests a play or series of plays that perfectly matches what Schembechler or Hayes had in mind. For instance, on a 3rd and long late in the game with Ohio State clinging to a short lead, Paterno suggests a trick play or reverse, something that would keep the ball on the ground but had a chance to pick up big yards. Of course, that following play was a jet sweep, precisely what Paterno had in mind. He also points out similarities in the playbooks and playcalling between Ohio State and Michigan, and points out how that might help the Wolverines bottle up Archie Griffin, who was well on his way to his first Heisman Trophy in that 1974 season. Indeed, Griffin has one of his weaker games rushing, partly attributed to Michigan’s familiarity with the Ohio State schemes.
Max McGee:
Max McGee is an example of a color commentator with exemplary credentials due to his experience as an outstanding football player from high school through the NFL. Subsequently, he can be expected provide exceptional expert analysis and insight about the game in order to enhance the coverage. His experience as a former NFL football player certainly enhanced his ability as a color analyst while also providing him with a great amount of credibility—an obligatory aspect of the color analyst. McGee played college football at Tulane and was a fifth round draft pick by the Green Bay Packers in the 1965 NFL Draft. He endured a remarkable career with the Packers as a wide receiver helping lead them to five NFL championships and two Super Bowl titles while receiving a Pro Bowl selection. Following his NFL career McGee gained wide popularity as a well respected color commentator for the Packers, winning Wisconsin sportscaster of the year ten times. But McGee, a Pennsylvania native, also worked for Total Communications Systems in New Kensington, Pennsylvania in the 1970’s providing color commendatory for Penn State Football replays alongside Ray Scott for the Penn State Football Network. In 1975, McGee worked alongside Ray Scott to provide color commentary for the matchup between Penn State and Ohio State from Columbus, Ohio. The game was televised on closed circuit television to Rec Hall on the campus of Penn State, and on tape delay on affiliated stations later in the week. Because, as Jay Paterno explained, ABC had exclusive distribution of college football on Saturdays, the only option for fans interested in watching games the network didn’t pick up would be to watch days later, after they already knew the outcome.
It is quite interesting to analyze Max McGee’s commentary on Penn State football games, particularly the 1975 matchup between Ohio State and Penn State. His Pittsburgh Live obituary makes reference of it, stating that “McGee had a witty,irreverent broadcasting style that was a contrast to the stoic Scott,a Johnstown native.”
McGee conveyed a straightforward style throughout his analysis and focuses more about football perspective rather than focusing on strategy. In particular, he focuses upon the performances of individual players throughout the game such as Ohio State’s Archie Griffin and Cornelius Green—two of the more athletic and explosive players on Ohio State’s offense. However, what is most obvious about McGee’s analysis is that he is always positive—perhaps too much so—especially towards the Penn State team. Being full aware that the broadcast was directed towards a Penn State audience (broadcasted regionally on the Penn State Football Network and on closed circuit television to Rec Hall), McGee remains effusive off the Penn State performance throughout the game as opposed to being overly critical and scrutinizing. In particular, following an outstanding run by Ohio State running back, Brian Baschnagel, in which he took a handoff 60 yards to about the five-yard line, McGee comments on the great defensive play by Penn State in order to prevent the touchdown. This tremendous positivity towards Penn State, despite a mediocre performance, remained consistent throughout the broadcast. However, we must take into consideration that McGee was not broadcasting for a national audience but rather cognizant that the majority of the demographic of the viewers were Penn State fans. This is similar to a Steve Jones and Jack Ham radiocast, as opposed to a national Brent Musberger and Kirk Herbstreit broadcast of Penn State football. Steve Jones and Jack Ham broadcast the games towards an almost strictly Penn State audience through the Penn State Radio Network and can be more positive towards Penn State. Conversely, on a national broadcast with Brent Musberger and Kirk Herbstreit it is more obligatory to be impartial to both teams. It is evident throughout McGee’s analysis that he is overly positive towards Penn State and has tremendous knowledge about the Penn State players as opposed to the Ohio State players, whom he often does not accurately name or name at all. On the other hand, he can list the name, year, and hometown of most Nittany Lions. One could say that Penn State is certainly on his brain. This is further witnessed during his half time talk in which he refers to Joe Paterno, simply as “Joe.” Ultimately, McGee continues to be both positive and optimistic towards the Penn State performance throughout the game.
Despite being overly positive towards Penn State, McGee does provide effective in-game analysis often drawing on his knowledge and experience as a former collegiate and NFL football player. It is manifest that McGee knows many of the intricacies of the game when he scrutinizes players’ tackling, catching, running, and overall execution. As aforementioned, McGee does not necessarily comment on overall game plan or strategy but rather focuses on the players’ performances and execution of specific plays, such as screens or draws. In this game, linebacker Greg Buttle gets injured and McGee is quick to point out the importance of Buttle for the Penn State defense and the impact his unfortunate injury will have on the Penn State team. It is McGee’s extensive knowledge of the players that helps to make his commentary effective.
Furthermore, McGee’s ability to draw on his own playing days helps to make him a somewhat effective color analyst. Despite his overall lack of knowledge in regards to the Ohio State players, McGee is able to analyze the game from a players standpoint and scrutinize individual facets of the game the pertain specifically to player performance as opposed to overall game plan strategy. However, his broadcast with Ray Scott has an entirely different tone than that of Paterno and Jackson. Clearly, the two have extensive experience with one another, and sure enough, the running commentary of their game more closely resembled the conversational tone we see with modern announcers. The relationship is hardly strained—the two frequently build off one another to raise cogent and explanatory points. Furthermore, McGee is not afraid to put himself in the game—not only referencing his past playing days on multiple occasions to elucidate a point, but on discussing the greater context in which the game occurs. For instance, he points out that Penn State entered the game as a two-touchdown underdog, discussed Ohio State’s performance the previous week against Michigan State, and talks he had with both Joe Paterno and Woody Hayes before the game--considerations notably absent from Paterno's calling of the game. These additions made the game seem more like modern broadcasts, in which the play on the game often comes hand-in-hand with outward conjecture and discussion. However, they were welcome additions, especially compared to the often dry game in which Paterno and Jackson almost refused to acknowledge that anything else besides that Saturday’s game mattered or even had occurred.
courtesy: the Tyrone Daily Herald
Conclusion
What we witnessed, Joe Paterno as a color commentator while still the head coach of the Penn State football team, is something that would be unfathomable in today’s media. However, the use of former coaches and players such as Paterno and Max McGee, in order to provide effective, credible, and expert analysis is seen almost ubiquitously throughout college football coverage. While McGee and Paterno certainly draw from different experiences and perspectives in their analysis, they are still able to provide compelling and efficacious analysis for the audience.
Certainly, one must consider whether the culmination of both of these types of analysis helped to build the foundation for present day college football coverage. This past season, one of the most popular and well-received tandems of color commentary in college football coverage was that of Urban Meyer and Chris Spielman. Both Meyer and Spielman provided color analysis for ESPN collegiate football coverage yet drew from different experiences in their commentary. Of course, Meyer was a former head football coach at Bowling Green, Utah, and Florida and won two BCS National Championships. On the other hand, Spielman is a College Football Hall of Famer as a linebacker at Ohio State as well as a four time Pro Bowl Selection in the NFL. However, the culmination of their experience and analysis resulted in effective commentary in the game’s coverage.
Paterno was an innovative factor in helping to expand the Penn State football image and brand to a national audience. He took it upon himself to make efforts towards brand exposure because he was aware that this would pay dividends in terms of poll rankings and recruiting. Prior to joining Keith Jackson in the booth, Paterno had led his Nittany Lions to several successful seasons; yet fell short of the National Championship each time. It’s almost indisputable that Paterno had those seasons in mind when he agreed to join the ABC crew, realizing that the more publicity he and his program could receive, the better—and so he stepped out of his comfort zone to go before the millions of viewers on a Saturday afternoon in November.
Although Paterno was inexperienced at providing color commentary, he was still able to offer outstanding analysis based on his experience thus far as the head football coach at Penn State. As previously mentioned, Paterno drew on his experience as head coach in order to provide analysis that dealt closely with in-game strategy. While it is uncertain as to whether Paterno paved the way for future head coaches to join the media such as Lee Corso or Lou Holtz, it undoubtedly makes one wonder whether Paterno did, which would simply add to the overall legacy of Paterno on college football. As it stands now, he can only add “effective broadcaster,” and not “trend-setter” to a list of accolades that includes “legendary coach” and “more than serviceable player.” But if he had decided to pull an Urban Meyer, and trade in his sideline position for one in the broadcast booth, it’s likely that he’d be remembered as one of the better color analysts in the game, too.
