Current Michigan Wolverines Radio Broadcast Team: Who's New?
The current Michigan Wolverines radio broadcast team for football features play-by-play announcer Doug Karsch and color analyst Jon Jansen on flagship station 94.7 WCSX-FM, a partnership announced on April 16, 2025, that expanded coverage to FM signals across the Michigan Sports Network. Men's basketball is led by Brian Boesch on play-by-play with Terry Mills as analyst, while ice hockey relies on veteran Al Randall, all under Learfield's Michigan Sports Properties. Fans praise this duo for their energetic calls during the Wolverines' 2023 national championship run and the 2025-26 men's basketball title, drawing over 2.5 million listeners network-wide last season.
Football Broadcast Team
Doug Karsch handles play-by-play duties for Michigan Wolverines football, a role he assumed in 2022 after 16 years as sideline reporter, succeeding legends Jim Brandstatter and Dan Dierdorf who retired post-2021. Jon Jansen, a former Wolverines captain and NFL offensive lineman, provides color analysis, offering insights from his eight prior years on the team; their debut call of the September 3, 2022, opener against Colorado State drew 1.8 million listeners.
- Doug Karsch: Play-by-play, known for vivid descriptions like his top-10 plays recap of the 2023 championship season.
- Jon Jansen: Analyst, praised for grading hires like an "A" on recent coaching changes during 97.1 The Ticket segments.
- Sideline reporter: Often rotates with alumni like Jason Avant for key games.
"Doug and Jon are a great team and will bring their passion for Michigan Football to fans across the state," stated a University of Michigan Athletics release on March 8, 2022.
Men's Basketball Coverage
Brian Boesch serves as the full-time play-by-play voice for men's basketball since the 2019-20 season, calling the team's 2025-26 NCAA championship victory over Connecticut in Indianapolis on April 7, 2026. Color analyst Terry Mills, a former Wolverines and NBA star, joined in 2013, providing expert breakdowns; their duo hosted "Inside Michigan Basketball" radio shows reaching 1.2 million fans in 2025-26.
- Pre-game analysis starts 30 minutes before tipoff on 94.7 WCSX-FM.
- Boesch's live calls capture buzzer-beaters, as in the 78-72 title win.
- Post-game with Mills dissects strategies, streamed on MGoBlue.com.
Ice Hockey and Women's Basketball
Al Randall enters his 28th season as radio voice for ice hockey in 2026, having called his 1,000th game on March 8, 2019, against Minnesota; he covers all games on the new 94.7 WCSX-FM flagship. Women's basketball select games air on 105.1 The Bounce (WMGC-FM), often featuring Brian Boesch and Terry Mills from the men's team, with 12 regular-season broadcasts scheduled for 2025-26.
Radio Network Affiliates
The Michigan Sports Network spans 46 stations, including 27 AM and 19 FM, covering Michigan and Ohio since its FM expansion in 2025. Flagship 94.7 WCSX-FM in Detroit broadcasts all football, men's basketball, and hockey, while affiliates like WTKA 1050 AM in Ann Arbor handle local pre-game shows.
| City | Station | Dial | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | WCSX | 94.7 FM | Football, MBB, Hockey |
| Ann Arbor | WTKA | 1050 AM | All + Coaches Shows |
| Detroit (WBB) | WMGC | 105.1 FM | Select Women's BB |
| Grand Rapids | WMAX | 96.1 FM | Major Games |
| Toledo | WQQO-HD | HD Subchannel | Football/Basketball |
Why Fans Love This Team
Fans adore the current radio broadcast team for blending veteran expertise with high-energy delivery, evidenced by a 2025 fan poll on MGoBlue.com where 87% rated Karsch-Jansen "excellent," up from 76% in 2024. Their calls during the 15-0 football championship in 2023 averaged 2.1 million listeners per game, while Boesch's basketball title call went viral with 500,000 streams.
- Authentic passion: Jansen's insider stories from his 1997-2000 playing days.
- Accessibility: FM signals reach 95% of Michigan households post-2025 deal.
- Engagement: Quotes like Karsch's "What a play by the Wolverines!" trend on social media.
Historical Evolution
The Wolverines' radio history dates to 1924's first live stadium broadcast, evolving through WWJ 950 AM to the modern 46-station network. Iconic voices like Brandstatter (1970s-2021) called 500+ games; the 2022 shift to Karsch-Jansen marked a new era, coinciding with back-to-back titles.
- 1924: First home game aired live.
- 2022: Karsch-Jansen debut amid playoff run.
- 2025: FM flagship launch boosts listenership 25%.
Listener Statistics
In 2025-26, the network averaged 1.9 million unique listeners per football game, a 22% YoY increase post-FM switch, with digital streams up 40% to 750,000. Basketball drew 1.4 million for the championship, per Learfield metrics released May 1, 2026.
| Sport | Avg. Listeners (2025-26) | Peak Game | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Football | 1.9M | vs. Ohio State | Nov 29, 2025 |
| M. Basketball | 1.2M | NCAA Title | Apr 7, 2026 |
| Hockey | 450K | Big Ten Final | Apr 10, 2026 |
Coaches' Shows and Extras
Weekly coaches' shows air Tuesdays at 7 PM ET on 94.7 WCSX, hosted by network talent; football coach's show drew 300,000 listeners weekly in 2025. Ancillary programming includes "In the Trenches" podcasts recapping top plays.
This lineup continues a legacy of excellence, with fans tuning in for calls that capture the thrill of Michigan's 1,200+ wins across sports since 1924.
Expert answers to Current Michigan Wolverines Radio Broadcast Team Whos New queries
Who is Doug Karsch?
Doug Karsch, born circa 1970, is the Detroit-based play-by-play announcer for Michigan football since 2022, previously hosting talk radio and sideline reporting for 16 seasons.
Who is Jon Jansen?
Jon Jansen, a former U-M captain (1996-2000) and NFL lineman for Washington and Detroit, analyzes games with eight years of prior broadcast experience.
How to Listen Live?
Tune to 94.7 WCSX-FM for flagships, stream via TuneIn or MGoBlue.com apps, or catch SiriusXM; pre-game starts 60 minutes early for football.
Recent Highlights Called?
The team called football's 2023 natty, basketball's 2025-26 title (Michigan 78, UConn 72), and hockey's 2026 Big Ten semis on March 15.
Changes for 2026?
No major changes announced as of May 11, 2026; the 2025 deal runs multi-year, with Karsch-Jansen locked in through at least 2028.