After 32 years, legendary broadcaster Jim Nantz is nearing his final ever call during the NCAA Basketball Tournament.
Nantz long ago shattered the previous record of calling six straight Final Fours set by Brent Musburger and Dick Enberg, but made it clear to Murph & Mac on Friday he’s far from retiring from broadcasting.
“I’ve had my great run with it, I’ve loved every second of it, but as I’ve said from the get go and this is what really steers me: It’s time to be home a little bit more with my kids,” Nantz said on KNBR. “The schedule that now slacks off to about 40 weeks a year of traveling, as opposed to 46 or 47. It’s the right thing to do.”
“I’m not retiring in any capacity,” Nantz continued. “I still have a very busy schedule. A lot of time away from home and the kids, but something had to go and this was going to be the one sport I could manage it down to just a 40 weeks year. I’ve loved every second of it.”
Nantz took time to reflect on some of his greatest calls during the tournament, including Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s first tournament win in 1992. He also reflected on his time as a cub broadcaster at the University of Houston, a team that has an outside chance to win it all this year.
“As a student I was the public address announcer for home games,” Nantz said. “I hosted Guy Lewis’s television show, that was my first television experience…It’s more than just being a fan or being an alum. It’s part of my basketball journey, it helped create my journey. Our school has never won a National Championship, to go out with a title, I don’t even know how I could handle that on the air but I will.”
Finally, Nantz had some kind words for Murph & Mac, a radio show he’s been on countless times over the years, sometimes in studio.
“You know, I hope you both know. I just love you guys,” Nantz said. “You are wonderful friends. We used to do this on a regular basis, we’ll always do this whenever you ask. I’m just grateful for the friendship that we have, it’s been wonderful. I know I’m in one of those moods right now, but that’s okay. I’m telling you guys how much I love you guys and being apart of the greatest show in America.”
Listen to the full interview below. You can listen to every KNBR interview on our podcast page at knbr.com/podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Catch Murph & Mac weekdays from 6 – 10 a.m. on KNBR 104.5 / 680 and streaming live on KNBR.com.