Ed Podolak to leave Iowa football radio booth, move to pregame role

IOWA CITY — For the first time in more than four decades, Iowa football fans will not be hearing Ed Podolak’s analysis from the radio booth during games.

Podolak will leave his longtime role as color commentator and transition to a new role providing analysis on podcasts and during Iowa’s pregame shows, the athletics department announced Monday in a news release.

The former Iowa star quarterback and running back joined the Iowa radio booth in 1982 — first for WHO before the move to Learfield Sports in 1997 — and has been in the role for nearly 500 Iowa football games.

“I believe there is no greater honor than to be part of the Iowa Hawkeye Football team,” Podolak said in the release. “I have loved watching these young men and coaches compete for the past 42 years. Sharing my perspective for the incredible Hawkeye fans from coast to coast has been a thrill.”

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Iowa play-by-play broadcaster Gary Dolphin said Podolak is “the best I’ve ever worked with in the broadcast booth.”

“One of the game's great competitors, Ed's ability to explain plays was unparalleled,” Dolphin said in the release. “Football mentalities of all ages understood and enjoyed the humor each Saturday.”

Kirk Ferentz said Podolak “has had an incredible impact on Hawkeye fans.”

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“Knowledgeable and passionate — always entertaining the fans across our state and across the country,” Ferentz said in the release. “There will never be another Ed Podolak.”

Hawkeye Sports Properties — the Iowa affiliate of Learfield Sports — and Iowa Athletics will begin the search for its next color commentator this spring, per the release.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com

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