The sudden death of respected ESPN host and reporter John Saunders left an unexpected and massive void to fill at the network.
Current SportsCenter anchor Stan Verrett, a Howard University alum, has been selected to replace Saunders as host of ABC’s college football studio show this season.
“John Saunders was a mentor and friend who helped me navigate my career at ESPN and was always ready with a kind word and timely advice,” said Verrett in an ESPN press release. “His easy manner and comfortable style welcomed college football fans every week for years on ESPN and ABC. He was a fantastic host.
“There’s a tremendous legacy there, and I am both humbled and excited to have the opportunity to add to it.”
Verrett, who joined ESPN in 2000, will work alongside longtime ESPN college football analyst Mark May and former Texas head coach Mack Brown.