Phil Savage, who served nine years as the color analyst for the University of Alabama football radio broadcasts on the Crimson Tide Sports Network, will not return for the 2018 season.
Savage said via social media that he is stepping down from the post to devote more time to his new job with the Phoenix franchise in the Alliance of American Football.
“Coach Mal Moore and the Crimson Tide Sports Network gave me an opportunity to audition during the 2009 A-Day game,” said via his Twitter account. “Little did we know that one game would turn into nine incredible years as the color analyst alongside Eli Gold. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time spent focused on college football, at the Reese’s Senior Bowl and with the University of Alabama, but am looking forward to being back in professional football as the General Manager of the Phoenix franchise in the new Alliance of American Football league, in addition to continuing my other football-related pursuits. Thank you to Jim Carabin and the entire CTSN team for your constant support, to Coach Nick Saban, all of the coaches, players and staff members for making this such a memorable experience and to all of our listeners across the state, nation and around the world for tuning in each and every Saturday. Roll Tide!”
Savage, 53, replaced the late Kenny Stabler in the broadcast booth alongside play-by-play announcer Eli Gold, bringing a more analytical, but still popular, style to the broadcast. He had written a book about his experiences, “4th and Goal Every Day,” in 2017.
Prior to coming to Alabama, Savage had served as general manager for the Cleveland Browns of the NFL. He was also named executive director of the Senior Bowl in 2012 but left that position last May in what he described as a “mutual parting of the ways.”
Carabin, the general manager of CTSN, was not immediately available on Thursday to discuss the timetable for Savage’s successor in the UA booth.
Reach Cecil Hurt at cecil@tidesports.com or 205-722-0225.
