Beyond the Byline: Mike Golic, we miss you already

WILKES-BARRE — Monday morning just wasn’t the same this week.

For that matter, every morning going forward will not be the same.

Why? Well, for the first time since I can remember, Mike Golic’s voice will not be emanating from my car radio.

In fact, ESPN will not be on my listening list going forward.

According to a July 8 story in The Spun, an independent sports publication that reaches over 8 million readers per month and focuses on the social media aspect of the industry.

“For the first time since 1998, Mike Golic will not have a show on ESPN Radio’s daily lineup. The former Notre Dame star and eight-year NFL veteran has been a mainstay on the network, but is not in its plans as it revamps its radio lineup.”

Yep, that all came to fruition Monday when ESPN Radio began its post-Mike Golic era.

Let me be among the legions of people to say, Mr. Golic, we miss you already.”

Whatever ESPN was thinking, it was a bad decision to remove Golic from the morning sports airwaves. Golic brought a lot to the table — a former athlete with spot-on commentary who was also a regular guy. He’s a guy we all can relate to. And he brought us his opinions and his comments in a non-offensive way. Golic never shouted at us. He never felt the need to scream at us or deliver his comments in a demonstrative way.

Golic was always a consummate professional — both on and off the air.

And he is a family man. His son, Mike Jr., joined the show three years ago and you could feel the closeness of this father and son. And it extended to his family — his wife, his other children and his dog.

The Spun story tells us that “Golic & Wingo, the most recent iteration of Golic’s daily show, is being replaced by an eclectic lineup that ESPN hopes will breathe some life into its radio lineup.”

All I can say to that idea is, “No thanks.”

Golic started out at ESPN in 1998, co-hosting The Bruno-Golic Morning Show with longtime sports radio host Tony Bruno, until 1999 when Bruno went to FOX Sports Radio.

Then came the “Mike & Mike” era with Mike Greenberg. This pairing lasted from 2000-2017. Greenberg left to host the network’s daily television show Get Up!, and was, as The Spun accurately stated, “effectively replaced by Trey Wingo.”

Wingo was far better with Golic than Greenberg ever could be. And with Mike Jr. on the set, the trio brought great enjoyment to listeners, like me.

As The Spun said:

“This is a true end of an era for ESPN, and for the Golics. Mike Golic has been an incredible staple for the network, and it has become a family affair in recent years. His son Mike Golic Jr. has been a part of the radio show, and has gone on to contribute to the network in a variety of roles.”

End of an era? For sure.

End of my listening to ESPN Radio in the morning, definitely.

I will still tune in to Dan Le Batard and Stugotz, a show that offers insightful commentary, terrific interviews and zany comedy.

I will never listen to the new show replacing Mike Golic’s show. Nor will I ever listen to “Greenie,” who just never brought much to the table as afar as I could tell.

I wish Mike Golic well. I hope he finds a new network so that he can return to morning radio.

It’s where he belongs.