New Michigan Football Radio Team Brings Fresh Energy
Michigan football radio broadcast team
The Michigan football radio broadcast team is anchored by Doug Karsch on play-by-play and Jon Jansen as analyst, with the duo continuing as the recognizable game-day voices for Wolverines football since Michigan announced them in March 2022. Michigan also shifted its flagship radio home to WCSX-FM 94.7 beginning with the 2025 season, while keeping Karsch and Jansen in the booth for live game coverage.
Who calls the games
Doug Karsch handles the play-by-play duties, bringing the rhythm, down-and-distance context, and scoring calls that listeners expect from a lead radio voice. Jon Jansen provides color commentary, leaning on his background as a former Michigan All-American offensive tackle and NFL lineman to explain line play, protection issues, and in-game adjustments.
The pairing was announced as Michigan's replacement for the previous long-running radio duo after Jim Brandstatter and Dan Dierdorf retired, marking a deliberate shift toward younger, more Michigan-connected voices. That change gave the program a broadcast identity built around familiar local media talent and former Wolverines experience.
Flagship station change
Starting with the 2025 football season, Michigan's flagship radio partner became WCSX-FM 94.7 through a multi-year agreement involving Michigan Athletics, Learfield's Michigan Sports Properties, and Beasley Media Group Detroit. The deal covers football, men's basketball, and men's hockey, plus related coaches' shows and selected ancillary programming.
This matters for listeners because the team itself did not change, but the station carrying the games did. Fans who had tuned elsewhere in prior seasons had to update where they found the Wolverines broadcast, while the on-air personalities remained consistent.
| Role | Name | Background | On-air job |
|---|---|---|---|
| Play-by-play | Doug Karsch | Detroit sports radio host and longtime Michigan sideline voice | Calls live action and scoring |
| Analyst | Jon Jansen | Former Michigan All-American and NFL offensive lineman | Breaks down strategy and personnel |
| Flagship station | WCSX-FM 94.7 | Detroit classic rock station | Primary radio home beginning in 2025 |
Why the pairing works
The Karsch-Jansen duo is effective because it combines two different forms of credibility: Karsch supplies timing, pace, and familiarity with Michigan's media market, while Jansen adds the perspective of someone who played the same position group many listeners care most about during big-game breakdowns. In a sport where radio has to translate fast-moving action into vivid language, that mix keeps the game broadcast both informative and easy to follow.
Michigan's choice also reflects a broader trend in college sports broadcasting, where programs increasingly pair a professional radio host with a former player who can explain tactics in plain English. That approach is especially useful for a national brand like Michigan, where a large share of the audience listens while driving, tailgating, or following along on mobile devices.
Broadcast timeline
- March 7, 2022: Michigan announced Doug Karsch and Jon Jansen as its new football radio booth team.
- August 9, 2022: Michigan expanded its game-day radio staff with Jason Avant on sideline duties and Jack Miller for pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage.
- April 16, 2025: Michigan announced WCSX-FM 94.7 as the new flagship station for football, men's basketball, and hockey beginning with the 2025 season.
Radio crew extras
- Jason Avant has served in sideline reporting roles for Michigan football radio coverage.
- Jack Miller has handled pregame, halftime, and postgame analysis.
- Brian Boesch has hosted pregame and postgame programming tied to Michigan athletics broadcasts.
Listener takeaway
If you are searching for the current Michigan football radio broadcast team, the answer is Doug Karsch and Jon Jansen, with WCSX-FM 94.7 serving as the flagship station starting in 2025. That combination gives Michigan a stable, recognizable sound on game day while connecting the program to both its local market and its football tradition.
"The familiar voices of Michigan football, play-by-play announcer Doug Karsch and color analyst Jon Jansen, will continue to provide coverage for the games."
What are the most common questions about New Michigan Football Radio Team Brings Fresh Energy?
Who is the Michigan football radio play-by-play announcer?
Doug Karsch is the play-by-play announcer for Michigan football radio broadcasts, handling live descriptions of the action and scoring calls.
Who is the Michigan football color analyst?
Jon Jansen is the color analyst, offering technical insight from his background as a former Michigan offensive lineman and NFL player.
What station carries Michigan football radio now?
WCSX-FM 94.7 is the flagship station beginning with the 2025 season under Michigan's multi-year broadcast agreement.
Did Michigan change its radio team recently?
No, the current booth pairing has been in place since 2022, but the flagship station changed in 2025.
Why did Michigan switch radio stations?
The switch came through a new multi-year broadcast agreement with Beasley Media Group Detroit and Michigan Sports Properties, which made WCSX the new flagship home.