Peak Broadcasting conducted an extensive search to find the new “Voice of the Broncos” after it attained the right to broadcast football and basketball games earlier this spring. Peak hired Bob Behler, formerly the play-by-play announcer for University of Massachusetts.
But before Behler got the nod, Peak approached two other men about the job. The list of applicants started at nearly 200, and Peak Broadcasting SVP Kevin Godwin “knocked down” the list to 56 - then 16.
Godwin told the media that he hoped to name the new “Voice” on Friday June 20th. The actual announcement didn’t come until ten days later - on June 30th. Now we know why. It turns out, Bob Behler hadn’t even been in Boise yet. He arrived for the first time on June 26th - a full week after Godwin indicated the new hire would be made public.
But Peak’s first choice wasn’t Bob Behler. In fact, he received the third offer from the company. The first offer went out to Chris Blair who is the play-by-play announcer for Georgia Southern University. In a note from Godwin to two top BSU sports officials on Monday June 23rd, he broke the news that Blair turned the job down - and Peak’s short two year contract was a major reason. “the two year deal and moving this far away became issues once we started to discuss the process,” Godwin wrote. “I’m not concerned and I’m glad we found this out now. Dave Koehn and I talked Friday night and he is extremely excited about it. I have a letter of intent with compensation details in front of him now and have a contract being drawn up for him…but I’m obviously hesitant to announce anything until the contract is signed (I hope by tomorrow).”
As we reported last month, Dave Koehn decided not to sign that letter - instead opting for a play-by-play gig with the University of Virginia.
Godwin seemed to get more cautious as the process went on. The day before Behler arrived in Boise, Godwin e-mailed BSU sports officials with his backup plan.
“Just in case, please review the list of candidates I emailed to you yesterday, and the demos/resumes, I want to continue to be prepared to move forward with others if need be.”
In an e-mail sent just an hour after the “just in case” note, Godwin dug in and put on the full court press with Behler. (As an aside, Boise State redacted Behler’s name from this note - but the “TO:” line wasn’t removed… it reads “Bob Behler.”)
“(Redacted), I really enjoyed our conversation last evening, and I can’t wait to meet you tomorrow… after I pick you up at the airport… we will head to a great little steakhouse for dinner with a couple of guys from Peak.” Godwin noted that he would take Behler to Peak, then go to Boise State. “If you are still excited or more so about this position….maybe head to lunch and discuss details/dates. How does that plan sound?”
Behler clearly enjoyed the trip - and he signed his name on the dotted line, Peak finally announced the hire on June 30th.
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