BREAKING NEWS: NFL Network’s Mike Mayock Joins NBC For Notre Dame Football

This from NBC Sports, after speculation that Joe Theisman or another Notre Dame alum would replace Pat Haden on Notre Dame football games, we get the surprise announcement that NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock will be the analyst joining Tom Hammond.

Mayock will remain at NFL Network as Notre Dame football is just 8 games and not a full 12 game schedule. This is not foreign territory for Mayock. He’s been a college football analyst for CBS on Big East and SEC games, ESPN/ABC for the Big East, ACC and Big 12, and Fox Sports Net for Big 12 games before joining the NFL Network to become its draft expert.

Here’s the announcement from NBC Sports.

MIKE MAYOCK JOINS NBC SPORTS’ NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL COVERAGE

NBC Sports’ 20th Season of Notre Dame Football Broadcasts Begins Sept. 4
NEW YORK – August 2, 2010 – Mike Mayock, one of television’s premier college football and NFL Draft experts, joins NBC Sports’ Notre Dame football coverage as game analyst, filling the role vacated by Pat Haden. Mayock’s inaugural game will take place on September 4 when the Fighting Irish host Purdue in the first game of NBC Sports’ 20th season broadcasting Notre Dame football.
Mayock, a former NFL defensive back, is NFL Network’s leading college football and NFL Draft analyst. He is featured on numerous NFL Network programs throughout the year, including Playbook and NFL Total Access, and provides content for all NFL Draft-related programming.
“Mike’s knowledge of and passion for college football has resulted in him becoming one of the most respected voices in the game,” said NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood. “He possesses a relentless work ethic and perfect pedigree as a former player and son of a coach. We are excited to add him to our team.”
Mayock joins veteran NBC Sports and Notre Dame commentators Tom Hammond (play-by-play) and Alex Flanagan (sideline reporter).
Mayock’s extensive football broadcast experience includes serving as a game analyst for NFL Network’s coverage of the Texas Bowl, the Insight Bowl, and Under Armour Senior Bowl, as well as preseason games for the Minnesota Vikings. Prior to joining NFL Network, he served as a college football analyst for ABC Sports (2001-03), Fox Sports Net (2000), and CBS Sports (1996-99).
“As the son of a coach and someone who has been around football my entire life, my favorite part of sports television has always been broadcasting games,” said Mayock. “The fact that I will now provide commentary on one of the most historically important teams in the history of college football on NBC Sports makes me about as happy as I can be as a sports broadcaster.”
Critical acclaim for Mayock’s preparation, knowledge and insight, include:
  • “Remember this name: Mike Mayock.” – New York Times following the 2006 NFL Draft
  • “Mayock was Nostradamus at last year’s draft…” – Sports Illustrated prior to the 2007 NFL Draft

ADDITIONAL MIKE MAYOCK BIO INFORMATION

Mayock covered the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament as a reporter for CBS (1997-99).  From 1993-95, he worked on ESPN’s coverage of the Canadian Football League.
Mayock’s broadcasting career also includes experience with Prime Network, NCAA Productions, Prime Sports Radio and the Big East Conference.
A 10th-round pick in the 1981 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mayock played for the New York Giants from 1982-83.  He is a member of the Boston College Hall of Fame, where he starred in football and baseball and received a Communications degree.
Mayock’s father, Mike Sr., is a former Penn football coach whom the Steelers selected in the 24th round of the 1955 NFL Draft.

THE NOTRE DAME-NBC SPORTS RELATIONSHIP

The University of Notre Dame and NBC Sports continue their television relationship for the 20th consecutive season in 2010. On June 19, 2009, a five-year renewal to televise all Notre Dame home football games was announced, giving NBC Sports the rights to Fighting Irish home games through the year 2015. NBC Sports began its original contract with Notre Dame in 1991.
The most recent extension provides NBC Sports rights to Notre Dame home games from 2011 through 2015, extending the partnership between the University and network to 25 years. Notre Dame will provide seven home games per season to NBC Sports and an additional eighth off-site game airing in prime time as part of the agreement. This year’s eighth game takes place on November 20 from Yankee Stadium when the Irish face Army.

NBC SPORTS’ 2010 NOTRE DAME SCHEDULE

Sep 4               Purdue                         3:30 p.m. ET
Sep 11             Michigan                      3:30 p.m. ET
Sep 25             Stanford                      3:30 p.m. ET
Oct 9               Pittsburgh                     3:30 p.m. ET
Oct 16             Western Michigan         2:30 p.m. ET
Oct 30             Tulsa                            2:30 p.m. ET
Nov 13            Utah                             2:30 p.m. ET
Nov 20            Army                            7 p.m. ET (at Yankee Stadium)

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About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013. He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television. Fang celebrates the three Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.

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