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FARGO — Jeff Culhane didn't make a public announcement he'd entered the transfer portal, but the North Dakota State radio play-by-play announcer is headed to a new school. And like a few Bison football players who've left, he's headed to a higher level.
Culhane, voice of the Bison since 2016, said Monday he is going to Florida State to be the football and men's basketball play-by-play announcer.
"Just a tremendous opportunity. I've always wanted to have the chance to be at a high-level Power Five program and this allows me that opportunity," Culhane said. "There weren't many places I was going to leave North Dakota State for, but Florida State is a place that's always been in my mind."
The 39-year-old replaced Scott Miller in 2016 as NDSU's football and men's basketball radio voice, after Miller died in February of that year following a lengthy fight with cancer. Culhane called four Bison football national championship seasons and two men's basketball Summit League tournament title seasons, including 2019 when NDSU played Duke in the NCAA Division I Tournament. He also called one NCAA baseball regional appearance.
"North Dakota State has given me much more than I've given them," Culhane said. "This is really bittersweet."
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Like his path in replacing Miller at NDSU, Culhane is replacing a beloved legend in Tallahassee. Gene Deckerhoff, the voice of the Seminoles for 43 years, retired following his radio broadcast of FSU’s spring football game in April. Deckerhoff called games for FSU football, men's basketball and the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Florida State is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its football program was long a national powerhouse. The Seminoles won national championships in 1993, 1999 and 2013.
"This position attracted nationwide interest, and Jeff’s unique abilities continued to rise to the top," FSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford said in a press release "I look forward to how Jeff will help tell the stories of our student-athletes, coaches and department through this expanded role."
Culhane came to Fargo after three years on the West Virginia Mountaineer Sports Network, following six years on the Husker Sports Network at the University of Nebraska.
Prior to his time at Nebraska, Culhane was the play-by-play voice for South Dakota women’s basketball and held multiple broadcasting roles throughout the state from 2001-2007.
He is a native of Mitchell, S.D., and a graduate of Dakota Wesleyan University.
Culhane will begin his new job July 1.
In addition to calling games, Culhane helped develop NDSU's flagship radio station Bison 1660 and hosted a two-hour daily show. He also hosted the Bison football coach's show on television and coordinated affiliate relations for the Bison Radio Network.
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"It's bittersweet. I love Jeff, he's a dear friend, but for him to get this opportunity for himself and his family, I couldn't be happier for him," NDSU men's basketball coach Dave Richman said. "
"I always thought Jeff was the perfect combination of on-the-air professionalism with his knowledge and talent at calling games, but he was also the kind of guy you wanted to hang around with and enjoy his friendship. I consider him a great friend and I'll miss him."
NDSU athletic director Matt Larsen said he'll discuss the opening with radio rights holder Radio FM Media and Learfield's Bison Sports Properties and will most likely have a search to replace Culhane.
