Tollackson Stepping Down

[BleedGopher]

So - to the best of my recollection - Andre Hollins was a graduate manager for Gopher Men's hoops last year while working on his MBA in the Carlson School of Management.

the question is what he wants to do - get into coaching, go into business or what? He's also engaged to Lynx guard Rachel Banham.

he's probably be good on the radio - the question is whether he wants to.

I believe Andre works in finance at General Mills, not sure how his role there will accommodate the travel needed for this role.

Go Andre Hollins!!

 

[BleedGopher]

Shooter chimes in:

>> Joining Andre Hollins among a handful of Gophers men’s basketball radio analyst considerations is ex-Gopher Joey King, the Eastview grad.

Charley Walters: Looking ahead to Vikings’ QB candidates in 2024 draft

The way it looks now, the Vikings are headed for a 9-8 or 8-9 season or so that begins in a week against Tampa Bay.

www.twincities.com

Go Gophers!!

 

[BleedGopher]

Shama chimes in:

It wouldn’t be surprising if former Gophers guard Andre Hollins is the new analyst on University of Minnesota basketball radio broadcasts next season, working with play-by-play voice Mike Grimm.

David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Go Gophers!!

 

[Spaulding!No!]

Tollackson was given 13 years to get comfortable in the job. Let’s hope the next guy/gal is able to be comfortable from the jump.

 

[BleedGopher]

Shooter chimes in again:

—Add ex-Gophers guard Al Nolen among considerations for the Gophers men’s basketball radio analysis job.

Charley Walters: Winless Vikings could be on the verge of a rebuild

The Vikings, one keen observer reasoned, should come to terms with who they are.

www.twincities.com

Go Gophers!!

 

[short ornery norwegian]

1st game is in about 7 weeks, so they have to choose somebody fairly soon.

 

[Zeppelin Gopher]

Al Nolen just announced as the replacement

 

[GopherBlood666]

Al Nolen just announced as the replacement

 

[short ornery norwegian]

Al Nolen career stats at MN:

98 games - 67 starts - avg 6.1 pts/gm - 4.0 asts - 3.0 rebs - 2.1 stls - 34% FG (31% 3-pt FG) - 73% FT

missed part of Junior season due to academic issues. missed part of senior season due to injuries.

 

[GopherLady]

Full press release:
Al Nolen Announced as Men’s Basketball Radio Color Analyst



MINNEAPOLIS – Gopher Sports Properties, the locally based team of LEARFIELD, in conjunction with the University of Minnesota Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced today the hiring of Al Nolen as the color commentator for Golden Gopher men’s basketball radio broadcasts this upcoming season. Nolen replaces longtime color analyst Spencer Tollackson, who held that role for the previous 13 years. Nolen joins voice of the Gophers, Mike Grimm, who enters his 18th year as play-by-play.

"I am excited to be back in the Barn,” Nolen said. “The opportunity to be a color analyst for the men's basketball team during coach Ben Johnson’s era, as well as to work alongside and learn from an on-air talent such as Mike Grimm, is a dream come true. This will be a good year for our team, and I am elated to be a part of this journey. I’m really looking forward to providing Gopher fans with expert analysis and insight into the game. Ski-U-Mah and go Gophers.”

Al Nolen was a member of the Gopher men's basketball team from 2008-11, where he played in 98 career games, including 67 starts and amassed 595 points, 205 steals and 394 assists. He graduated with a bachelor of science in business and marketing. After graduation, Nolen was drafted by and played in the NBA G-League, completing his professional basketball career in Germany and the Czech Republic.

“We are thrilled to welcome Al Nolen back to Williams Arena as our men’s basketball color analyst,” said Greg Gerlach, Vice President and General Manager, LEARFIELD’s Gopher Sports Properties. “Al represents the very best of what Gopher student-athletes are capable of, on and off the field of play. We couldn’t be prouder to have him represent Golden Gopher Men’s Basketball in this role.”

Following his professional career, the Minneapolis native returned to his hometown and started his career in education with the Minneapolis and Osseo Public School districts, including eight years working with at-risk youth, as well as coaching middle and high school varsity basketball. In 2020, he founded the Al Nolen Foundation. The non-profit organization was built to create an affirming and supportive environment that nurtures higher-risk youth on their journey to overcome emotional trauma, social isolation, and economic hardships. The Al Nolen Foundation creates fun, inclusive and educational activities designed to develop basic life skills that will be key components in everyday success.

 

[topos]

Great news! Al was a phenomenal point guard; I look forward to his insights!

 

[Gopherbbdude]

Nice!!

 

[bga1]

Full press release:
Al Nolen Announced as Men’s Basketball Radio Color Analyst



MINNEAPOLIS – Gopher Sports Properties, the locally based team of LEARFIELD, in conjunction with the University of Minnesota Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced today the hiring of Al Nolen as the color commentator for Golden Gopher men’s basketball radio broadcasts this upcoming season. Nolen replaces longtime color analyst Spencer Tollackson, who held that role for the previous 13 years. Nolen joins voice of the Gophers, Mike Grimm, who enters his 18th year as play-by-play.

"I am excited to be back in the Barn,” Nolen said. “The opportunity to be a color analyst for the men's basketball team during coach Ben Johnson’s era, as well as to work alongside and learn from an on-air talent such as Mike Grimm, is a dream come true. This will be a good year for our team, and I am elated to be a part of this journey. I’m really looking forward to providing Gopher fans with expert analysis and insight into the game. Ski-U-Mah and go Gophers.”

Al Nolen was a member of the Gopher men's basketball team from 2008-11, where he played in 98 career games, including 67 starts and amassed 595 points, 205 steals and 394 assists. He graduated with a bachelor of science in business and marketing. After graduation, Nolen was drafted by and played in the NBA G-League, completing his professional basketball career in Germany and the Czech Republic.

“We are thrilled to welcome Al Nolen back to Williams Arena as our men’s basketball color analyst,” said Greg Gerlach, Vice President and General Manager, LEARFIELD’s Gopher Sports Properties. “Al represents the very best of what Gopher student-athletes are capable of, on and off the field of play. We couldn’t be prouder to have him represent Golden Gopher Men’s Basketball in this role.”

Following his professional career, the Minneapolis native returned to his hometown and started his career in education with the Minneapolis and Osseo Public School districts, including eight years working with at-risk youth, as well as coaching middle and high school varsity basketball. In 2020, he founded the Al Nolen Foundation. The non-profit organization was built to create an affirming and supportive environment that nurtures higher-risk youth on their journey to overcome emotional trauma, social isolation, and economic hardships. The Al Nolen Foundation creates fun, inclusive and educational activities designed to develop basic life skills that will be key components in everyday success.

Love this!

 

[Chico Gopher]

Will be interesting to see how quickly he can pick up the timing and tempo of working with a partner on a radio broadcast of hoops.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

the real test will be how he responds when Grimm goes off on one of his rants about officiating.

seriously, I would like to hear a little more analytical approach - meaning, talk about what the teams are doing on offense and defense and how that impacts the outcome of the game. tell me something that I might not know, or something I can't tell from just watching the game.

 

[Chico Gopher]

the real test will be how he responds when Grimm goes off on one of his rants about officiating.

seriously, I would like to hear a little more analytical approach - meaning, talk about what the teams are doing on offense and defense and how that impacts the outcome of the game. tell me something that I might not know, or something I can't tell from just watching the game.

Being out of the area, I don't often get to listen to Grimm, but I'm glad I'm not the only one that noticed that he seems pretty focused on how the "refs are screwing us" at some point during every game that I DO get to hear. It's pretty irritating.

I'm with you, talk about what's working and not working and why. Point out the scout stuff that the team worked on during morning shoot-around and what adjustments the teams and players are making. The typical fan generally never gets to see or hear that stuff. Things like why are we doubling or not doubling. Why are we going over instead of under screens on particular players.

The play-by-play and color guys are insider basketball guys, with access that most fans don't have, so they have and would hopefully provide insight of game strategy and the reasons for the philosophies being utilized during a game.

I know that sometimes refs are having a tough time and there are always going to be bad calls, but the refs are not out to screw anybody and constantly falling back to the "Bad Refs" excuse is just being lazy and not really adding anything useful to a broadcast.