Ed Podolak transitions out of radio booth
A 42 year run in the broadcast booth has come to an end for Ed Podolak. The legendary former Hawkeye and Kansas City Chiefs player announced on Monday that he will transition into a new role and no longer be a color commentator for Iowa football games.
Podolak started his career working alongside the legendary Jim Zabel and then in the last 27 yards, he worked side by side with Gary Dolphin. While Podolak will no longer call games, he will still have a role on the Saturday broadcast, with pregame commentary and podcast appearances.
“I have decided that this is a good time for me to step back from my role as color commentator for the Hawkeye football radio broadcasts,” said Podolak. “I believe there is no greater honor than to be part of the Iowa Hawkeye Football team. I have loved watching these young men and coaches compete for the past 42 years. Sharing my perspective for the incredible Hawkeye fans from coast to coast has been a thrill.
“I look forward to my new role this fall, providing analysis during the pregame shows and on podcasts.”
His longtime broadcast partner, Gary Dolphin, will miss his football knowledge and their great chemistry in the booth.
“I have said it often across 27 years that Ed Podolak is the best I’ve ever worked with in the broadcast booth,” said play by play voice Gary Dolphin. “One of the game’s great competitors, Ed’s ability to explain plays was unparalleled. Football mentalities of all ages understood and enjoyed the humor each Saturday. I look forward to Eddie’s continued involvement on game day.”
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz has always had an incredible amount of respect for Podolak and the work he did for over 500 Hawkeye games.
“Ed Podolak has had an incredible impact on Hawkeye fans for 40 years,” said Moon Family University of Iowa Head Football Coach Kirk Ferentz. “He was one of the greatest college football players of his era, leaving his mark all over the Big Ten record books. He followed that with an outstanding professional career in Kansas City. And since his retirement from football, he has been the voice that Iowa fans have counted on for decades. Knowledgeable and passionate – always entertaining the fans across our state and across the country. There will never be another Ed Podolak. I hope Hawkeye fans will join all of us in wishing Ed the very best as he steps away from the broadcast booth.”
Hawkeye Sports Properties, in conjunction with the UI Athletics Department, will begin a search for Podolak’s replacement this spring. Names that have been mentioned as potential replacements include several former Iowa players. Those names include: Anthony Herron, Danan Hughes, Dallas Clark, and Nate Kaeding.
