39. Filling Big Shoes with Jeff Culhane, voice of the Florida State Seminoles

Jeff Culhane (right) followed in the footsteps of Gene Deckerhoff, who was the voice of the Florida State Seminoles for over four decades.

Episode Overview

A conversation with Jeff Culhane, Voice of the Florida State Seminoles, about the unique challenges and opportunities of following a legendary broadcaster.

Show Notes

[02:12] Jeff's career journey

• Previous roles at Nebraska, West Virginia, North Dakota State

• Meeting his wife while at West Virginia

• Decision to move to Fargo, North Dakota

[04:25] North Dakota State experience

• Called multiple FCS national championships

• Witnessed program success across multiple sports

• Built strong connections with the community

[05:58] Landing the Florida State job

• Summer 2022 transition

• Following Gene Deckerhoff after his 43-year tenure

• Process of interviewing and securing the position

[09:27] Managing the transition after a legendary broadcaster

• Approach to following Gene Deckerhoff

• Philosophy of "putting on your own shoes" rather than filling others'

• Building relationships with Gene and the community

[18:03] First game experiences and administrative support

• Tony's first Washington game vs Auburn

• Jeff's early LSU game and crucial blocked extra point call

• Building relationships with university leadership

[25:38] Growth in the role and missed opportunities

• Discussion of early calls they wish they had back

• Managing multiple life changes during transition

• Learning to balance preparation with execution

[31:14] Public speaking and ambassador role

• Adapting to public speaking requirements

• Managing anxiety in high-profile situations

• Importance of being an ambassador for the university

[35:23] Connecting with fan base as an outsider

• Importance of demonstrating passion for the program

• Research into program history

• Using social media effectively

[42:47] Handling difficult seasons

• Managing broadcast tone during losing streaks

• Maintaining enthusiasm while being honest

• Building relationship with Coach Mike Norvell

Key Takeaways

• Building authentic connections with the community is crucial when following a beloved broadcaster

• Knowledge of program history helps establish credibility with fans

• Social media can be effectively used to demonstrate passion and connection

• Maintaining positivity while being honest during difficult seasons

• Importance of relationship building with coaches and administration

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