Wednesday, April 22, 2026

‘Stanford Steve’ Coughlin to Succeed Chris Fallica on College GameDay

  • Stanford Steve has served as Scott Van Pelt’s longtime sidekick on the “Bad Beats” betting segment.
  • Fallica left ESPN for rival Fox Sports last year.
ESPN's Stanford Steve
Photo by Allen Kee / ESPN Images.

“Stanford Steve” Coughlin will replace the departed Chris “The Bear” Fallica on this season’s “College Gameday.”

Coughlin, Scott Van Pelt’s longtime “Bad Beats” sidekick, will join host Rece Davis and analysts Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and Pat McAfee, along with college football insider Pete Thamel and reporters Jen Lada and Jess Sims.

“Anyone who has met Stanford Steve knows how passionate he is about college football. Adding him to College GameDay will be a great fit as we tap into both his knowledge of the sport and his betting expertise every week to serve all of our loyal fans,” said Lee Fitting, ESPN’s senior vice president,
production.

Fallica left ESPN for Fox Sports last year. He serves as the network’s sports wagering expert.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Gov. Andy Beshear delivers his State of the Commonwealth Wednesday night at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History. Jan. 7, 2026

Gov. Beshear Slams Kentucky’s New $1M Job for AD

Beshear said athletic director Mitch Barnhart’s new job has “no defined duties.”

NBA Coaching Carousel Could Shake Up College Basketball

Dusty May and Todd Golden could get NBA coaching looks.
Apr 18, 2026; Fort Worth, TX, USA; The University of Minnesota gymnastics team poses with their trophy after finishing in fourth place in the 2026 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics National Championships at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

ESPN Defends NCAA Gymnastics Broadcast After Minnesota Backlash

Minnesota blasted ESPN for showing its routines less than other teams.
Jan 9, 2026; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Jamari Johnson (9) makes catch for a touchdown against Indiana Hoosiers defensive back D'Angelo Ponds (5) during the first quarter of the 2025 Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Latest Dispute Over NIL Go Could End Any Semblance of a Salary Cap

The heart of the current issue is over the definition of “associated entities.”

Featured Today

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 25: Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever sits on the baseline and makes photographs during the Indiana Pacers game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Why Athletes Are Moonlighting As Sports Photographers

Athletes are swapping courtside seats for sideline cameras.
Quinnipiac women's varsity rugby
April 21, 2026

The Death of Quinnipiac Women’s Varsity Rugby

The sudden decision at Ilona Maher’s alma mater left players blindsided.
April 17, 2026

The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era

In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.
blake griffin
April 14, 2026

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.
Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

How the Patriots Are Stage-Managing the Vrabel-Russini Fallout

Vrabel finally gave brief and vague remarks on the scandal on Tuesday.
April 22, 2026

PGA Tour Signature Event Ratings Momentum Slows After 2025 Surge

Four of this year’s eight signature events have already been played.
Apr 10, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks on against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
April 22, 2026

Steve Kerr Looms as Top TV Target Amid Coaching Uncertainty

Kerr previously served as TNT’s top game analyst
Sponsored

Why Brandon Marshall Bet on Athlete-Owned Media

Brandon Marshall on athlete media, life after football, building I AM ATHLETE.
Apr 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is defended by Los Angeles Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin (9) as he drives to the basket in the second half during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
April 22, 2026

Play-In Tournament Viewership up 18% in Prime Video Debut

Stephen Curry and the Warriors aided the high viewership.
April 21, 2026

French Open Limits Cameras Amid Player Privacy Complaints

The French Open starts next month.
Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
April 21, 2026

Vrabel: Russini Photos Led to ‘Difficult Conversations’

Vrabel previously called the interactions ”completely innocent.”
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin leaves the field following an AFC Wild Card Round loss to the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
April 21, 2026

Mike Tomlin Heading to NBC Sports as Studio Analyst

Tomlin was widely considered the top NFL TV free agent.