Kellogg has possible dilemma in tourney
by Michael Hiestand, USA TODAY Sports
As CBS’ Clark Kellogg looks ahead to NCAA men’s basketball tournament action, he’s not taking anything for granted.
He’s not just talking how the coming tournament will be more “wide open” than any in recent years. He’s also talking about his perch as CBS’ lead analyst.
“I really see a shelf life now for all of us commentators,” says Kellogg, who’ll work his fifth Final Four with Jim Nantz after replacing Billy Packer, who called 34 Final Fours on CBS and NBC. “The TV landscape is totally different now — you won’t see (on-air) careers like you did with Billy Packer, John Madden, Dick Vitale. With the 24/7 news cycle and the digital world, now there’s always going to be a clamoring for the ‘next new thing.’ ”
And since he replaced Packer, Kellogg hasn’t been the next new face.
“Now, I’m not looking beyond two- to four-year windows,” said Kellogg, who played at Ohio State from 1979-82 and in the NBA from 1982-87. “I just don’t think you’ll be able to see guys stay long in lead analyst positions. I’d like to be considered longer, but I just see it playing out that way.”
But while he’s watching his back, Kellogg has two personal storylines at play in this year’s tournament. Son Nick Kellogg plays for Ohio University, which is the top seed in the Mid-American Conference and would get an NCAA tournament bid, as it did last year, if it wins the conference title game Saturday (ESPN2, 6:30 p.m. ET).
Kellogg’s didn’t call his son’s NCAA games last year. And, he says he wouldn’t angle internally at CBS to get such games this year. “For him, it would be a real treat but I would not choose to work them,” says Kellogg. “If it ends up unfolding that way, I’d do the best I can. But I … [For more on CBS' Clark Kellogg has possible dilemma in NCAA tourney, click here.]
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