Long-time distinguished football analyst/talk show host Brady Ackerman will join the Gator Country Radio/TV team on Aug. 4 and re-launch his popular morning show on ESPN Ocala/Gainesville.
Ackerman will anchor the Gator Country Radio Show from 7-9 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, which airs on WMOP and FM 100.1 in Ocala and AM1230 Gainesville, as well as on the Gatorcountry.com.
The news of Brady’s new job brought salutes from admirers and friends in various quarters.
Said Florida coach Urban Meyer: “Brady not only understands the game and brings keen insight that is appreciated by all who love football, but he’s a loyal Gator and a welcomed addition to the press corps. It’s great to have Brady back in the Ocala-Gainesville area as Gator Country’s football analyst. Great call.”
Said Ackerman’s former Sun Network TV partner Terry Norvelle: “In my opinion, the No. 1 Gator talk show host is back where he belongs – on the air in the heart of Gator Country.”
“Brady has always been part of the Gator Country family and his widely read column is one of our most popular features,” said Ray Hines III, Gator Country owner and publisher. “But having him as a regular cast member on the Gator Country Radio Show is the prelude to our new media as we roll out Gator Country Internet Radio and Gator Country TV. This is the most exciting era of Gator Country since we launched it well over a decade ago.”
Add Gator Country Executive Editor Buddy Martin: “How fortunate Gator Country is to have somebody like my friend and former radio partner Brady Ackerman as face and voice of Gator Country football coverage. You’ll not only see read him online and in our increasingly popular magazine, but hear him three times weekly on ESPN radio, Ocala-Gainesville, from 7 to 9 a.m. And he’ll also appear regularly as an anchor of our team on our brand new Gator Country Internet Radio (GCIR) and Gator Country TV.”
Franz Beard, GC Managing Editor: “Brady Ackerman combines the media skills that make him a pro’s pro with the insight and understanding that make him that one guy you stop whatever it is you’re doing so you won’t miss a word whenever he speaks. In this expanded role with Gator Country, he’s going to add new dimensions to our growing presence on the Internet, in print with our magazine, in radio and in our new plans to move into television. This is a good day for Gator Country and an even better day for the people we consider most important – our Gator Country subscribers.”
Ackerman is the afternoon radio host on ESPN Radio in Orlando. He has been with WHOO AM 1080 since December, 2006. He hosted morning drive in Gainesville/Ocala for six years.
He also serves as a studio analyst/pre-game host for Sun Sports television. This fall Brady will be on-site for pre-game shows including the Florida-Miami, Florida-LSU, Florida-Georgia and Florida-FSU. Brady serves as the color analyst at Sun Sports for all Florida High School Football Finals games and the FSN National High School games in Florida. In 2007 Brady served as the color analyst on the Florida-Georgia game.
Brady has worked in radio and television for the past 10 years beginning in Jacksonville at AM 930 and with Sports Channel Florida in television. He has worked as the color analyst on football game broadcasts of division one programs the University of Central Florida and Florida International University.
Prior to his work in the media he served as an assistant football coach at Valdosta State, Jacksonville State, and Adams State and as a graduate assistant at the University of Florida.
He has worked under current head coaches Steve Spurrier, Mike Leach, Hal Mumme and Ron Zook. Brady was a running back at the University of Florida from 1987-1991, lettering two seasons. He was a member of the first official SEC championship team in 1991.
Ackerman received his degree from Florida in May 1992 in Public Recreations. He lives in Ocala, Florida with his wife Michele and two sons Brendan 9 and Preston 5.