CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (August 28, 2024) – Learfield Tar Heel Sports Properties announced today that former Tar Heels Joe Jauch and Bryn Renner will serve as commentators for University of North Carolina (UNC) football games broadcast this fall on the Tar Heel Sports Network. With Brian Simmons joining the Carolina football staff full-time and serving as special advisor to head coach Mack Brown, Jauch and Renner will join the voice of the Tar Heels, Jones Angel, in the radio booth.
Additionally, Tar Heel football letterman Na Brown will co-host the Tar Heel Sports Network’s pre-game and post-game shows with Dave Nathan. Brown replaces Tar Heel great Deems May, who retired after more than 20 seasons with the network.
Joe Jauch was one of the first freshmen recruits that Mack Brown enrolled at Carolina in 1988 and has worked as a commentator for the Tar Heel Sports Network for the past two seasons. After leaving Carolina, Jauch played five years with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League and has been an announcer for ESPN since 2018.
“I’m grateful that Mack Brown gave me the opportunity to be a student-athlete at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,” Yauch said. “I earned my degree in Radio and Television and now I’m sitting next to Jones Angell. It’s truly a dream come true. Go Heels!”
Bryn Renner was a three-year starting quarterback at the University of North Carolina, setting the school’s all-time record for 300-yard passing games and breaking the school’s all-time record for most touchdown passes twice. Renner’s career completion percentage of 66.5% is the best in Carolina history. Following his record-breaking collegiate career, Renner played in the NFL for the Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the Tar Heel Sports Network for the opportunity to be in the booth with the Jones Angels and the team this fall,” said Renner. “I look forward to learning from you all and giving my best to our fans, just like I do every Saturday when I’m under center for the Tar Heels!”
Brown, who played for the Tar Heels from 1995-1999 and ranks in the top 10 in career receptions, was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft and played for the team until 2004. Brown is a North Carolina native, born in Reidsville, North Carolina.
“I’m finally back home where it all began,” Brown said. “I’m excited to join the Tar Heel Sports radio team and share UNC football with my UNC family. I can’t wait to turn the mic on.”
“We are excited to work with this incredible group of analysts this season,” said Jones Angell, Voice of the Tar Heels. “With multiple players from different eras who have achieved high levels of success in Carolina and in professional football, Tar Heels fans will be able to hear expert opinions and analysis before, during and after the game on the Tar Heels Sports Network. Our goal is to provide an accurate, entertaining and informative listening experience on game day, and Joe, Brynn, Na and Jeff will help us do just that.”
This fall, fans will continue to hear from Tar Heel legend Jeff Saturday, who returns as a regular contributor to his weekly interview segment with Jones Angel, while Lee Pace also returns as a sideline reporter for the network.
“We are excited and proud to welcome former Tar Heels players to the Carolina Football Radio team,” said Chuck Schroeder, vice president and general manager of Tar Heel Sports Properties. “Each of these players offers a unique perspective and listeners will hear their deep understanding of the game and Carolina Athletics. They all love this place and we look forward to bringing their expertise and passion for Carolina football to our listeners this fall.”
The team’s local Learfield-based company, Tar Heel Sports Properties, is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Carolina Athletics and oversees all sponsorship agreements on behalf of the Tar Heels.
About Learfield
Learfield is a media and technology company powering the world of collegiate sports. Learfield owns and leverages extensive industry data sets and relationships through digital and physical platforms to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness and fan engagement for brands, sports and entertainment properties. With connections to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield has a presence in collegiate sports and live events to maximize impact and reach to targeted audiences. With solutions that enable a 24/7, 365-day fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game tickets, athletic program donor identification, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, the company has been the title sponsor of the highly regarded Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.