CHARLES DAVIS TO SUCCEED DANIELSON BEGINNING IN 2026
Danielson to Retire as Longest-Tenured College Football Game Analyst After 36 Years in Television
Gary Danielson, CBS Sports’ lead college football analyst, has announced he will retire following the 2025 college football season, which will mark his 20th season with CBS. Danielson, who is entering his 36th season in television, is currently the longest-tenured college football game analyst on any network. Danielson will work his final season alongside Brad Nessler and reporter Jenny Dell.
CBS Sports veteran football analyst Charles Davis will succeed Danielson as lead college football analyst beginning with the 2026 season, calling CBS’ weekly marquee Big Ten games. Davis will continue as an analyst for the NFL ON CBS during the 2025-26 season.
“I have had the greatest seat in the house for 36 years and have loved every minute of it,” said Danielson. “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.”
“Gary Danielson is simply one of the greatest college football analysts ever. And an even better teammate,” said David Berson, President and CEO, CBS Sports. “Gary cares more about uplifting others and ensuring the team receives all the accolades. During his 20 years here, he helped propel CBS Sports to the gold standard in college football coverage. We can’t thank him enough; he will always be part of the CBS Sports family and wish him the best in retirement.”
“For the past two decades Charles has been among the best analysts across the NFL and college football,” said Berson. “He’s well known to fans, from calling college football national championships, to NFL playoff games, to the voice of Madden NFL. We’re thrilled Charles will be returning to his roots — college football — and calling our top Big Ten game each week.”
“Gary has been the preeminent voice in college football for decades, and someone I have long admired and respected,” said Davis. “It is hard to imagine college football Saturdays without him, but I am thrilled we get one last season with him. There is no replacing Gary, but I am truly honored and humbled to succeed him and call games with Brad Nessler and the incredible Big Ten on CBS team.”
Davis joined CBS Sports as an NFL analyst in 2020. Prior to his work as an NFL analyst at FOX, Davis served as the lead analyst on FOX’s college football coverage. He was on the call for three consecutive BCS National Championship games between 2007-09, also covering the 2008 Sugar Bowl and 2009 Orange Bowl. Earlier in his career, Davis worked five seasons as the lead analyst for TBS’ college football game coverage of the Big 12 and Pac-10 conferences.
Davis played for the University of Tennessee and completed his master’s in history while at the school. He was a four-year starter as a defensive back from 1983-86, and member of the Academic All-SEC Team.
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CBS Sports Contact:
Jeff Szklinski, jeff.szklinski@paramount.com
