Gary Danielson retiring as CBS’s lead college football voice

The upcoming college football season will be Gary Danielson’s last.

The longtime CBS voice of college football announced Wednesday that he’ll retire following the 2025 season, his 36th on television and 20th on the job.

Danielson will continue to work alongside Brad Nessler and reporter Jenny Dell this coming season, and beginning in 2026, he’ll be succeeded by Charles Davis in calling the CBS weekly marquee Big Ten match-ups.

“I have had the greatest seat in the house for 36 years and have loved every minute of it,” Danielson said in a press release. “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.”

David Berson, the President and CEO of CBS Sports, also remarked at Danielson’s run in the company and in college football.

“Gary Danielson is simply one of the greatest college football analysts ever. And an even better teammate,” Berson said. “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.”

Davis added of Danielson, “Gary has been the preeminent voice in college football for decades, and someone I have long admired and respected. It is hard to imagine college football Saturdays without him, but I am thrilled we get one last season with him.”

Davis later noted that while there’s “no replacing Gary,” he’s considering his future promotion an “honor.”

Danielson, who turns 74 in September, is a six-time Sports Emmy-nominated broadcaster who also played quarterback for the Detroit Lions from 1976-1984 before ending his playing career with the Cleveland Browns after his 1985-1988 tenure.

In the NFL, Danielson amassed 60 starts and 101 appearances.

He threw for 13,764 yards, 81 touchdowns and 78 interceptions, and started one playoff game for the Lions in 1983.