Josh Bazinet is trading in his helmet for a headset.
On July 8, UNM enshrined the former Lobo defensive back as the University's football analyst. Bazinet will talk alongside newly hired play-by-play announcer Scott Galetti.
Although Bazinet has no previous broadcast experience, he said being a player under coach Rocky Long will help him convey some of the nuances of the games to the fans.
"I know the defense," he said. "I'm going to know the coverage we're in. When we're blitzing, who's blitzing and just be able to tell that perspective to the fans when the fans are just watching the play as a whole. As far as the offense goes, I'm still learning that myself."
Bazinet graduated from UNM in 2005 with a degree in construction management. However, Bazinet will be looking to major in the chemistry department while he's on-air with Galetti.
"I met Scott Galetti for the first time Tuesday," he said. "He seems like a real nice guy and seems like he knows what he's talking about. Basically, we have the whole month of August (to prepare). We'll be getting together a lot."
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Still, Bazinet said no matter how prepared he feels, opening day will be somewhat nerve-racking. Good thing he took time as a player to talk to the media and make weekly guest appearances on a local radio show during his senior season.
Bazinet also has a trustworthy sidekick in Galetti, who has served as a talk show host for the Sports Fan Radio Network and has been a television announcer for Long Beach State university basketball, Fullerton College and Wichita Falls basketball.
UNM also introduced Scott Didrickson as the new basketball analyst.
Didrickson, like Bazinet, brings some player experience into the booth. He played for the University of Washington from 1992-1995. Didrickson has some broadcast experience as well, spending two years as a color commentator for the University of Washington men's basketball program. Didrickson also spent five years as an assistant coach under former UNM head coach Ritchie McKay, until McKay was fired after the 2006-07 season.
"I truly loved being a part of (the Lobo community) for five years, except for maybe the last few weeks," Didrickson said in a news conference. "To be real honest, it was a real hard thing to go through, but it's water under the bridge. Paul (Krebs) has been a great friend through thick and thin. I'm thrilled to be working for him again."
Attempts to reach Didrickson for further comment were unsuccessful.
Bazinet said he'll try not to let his ties to the program affect his commentary.
"I'm going to be honest," he said. "Of course, if I see a fumble, pass break-up or an interception, I'm going to try to be truthful, but I'm always going to be 100 percent diehard Lobo."
That loyalty, that bleed-cherry-for-life syndrome, has Bazinet looking forward to the stately rivalry that will take place Sept. 28 at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces.
"New Mexico State - that's always an exciting game to talk about," he said. "That game has so much passion between fans, player, coaches and the whole rivalry between the two towns. It's going to be exciting."
