Getty Image / Kevin C. Cox
Big changes are coming to Alabama football this year. Legendary head coach Nick Saban stepped down in January to the shock of many in the sports world.
The school has since hired former Washington Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer to replace the GOAT. Now, they’ll be looking to replace another longtime Alabama legend in radio play-by-play man Eli Gold.
Alabama has decided not to renew the contract of the voice of the greatest run the sport has seen in the modern era.
BREAKING: Eli Gold says he's not returning as the voice of the Crimson Tide, and it was NOT his choice
“I will not be returning. The university chose to not bring me back. I have not retired!”
Gold was the voice of @AlabamaFTBL for 35 years pic.twitter.com/62pxCN0EnX— Jonathan Hardison (@FOX6Hardison) February 21, 2024
This seems like a wild decision for Alabama to make. Put simply, Eli Gold is an absolute legend in the south. He’s been on the microphone for some of the best moments in the history of college football. Some of those were good for the Tide, and some were heartbreaking.
It always struck me how he says “A-La-Ba-Ma”. It’s very drawn out and pretty iconic.
Recently, Gold missed the entire 2022 while battling cancer. But, he was back for what ended up being Nick Saban’s final year. And, he got to call one of the most iconic plays in Crimson Tide history.
It’s likely that Alabama felt it was necessary to move on from Gold, 70, given his age. And, welcoming in a new head coach in Kalen DeBoer presented a good opportunity to do so.
Chris Stewart, who filled in for Gold during his absence and does Alabama basketball games, will be the new play-by-play man for the Tide.
But, this is just another marker that this is the end of an area in Tuscaloosa.