James Patrick Brandstatter (born ) is an American sports announcer. He was the radio play-by-play announcer for the Michigan Wolverines football team. He held the position of color commentator for the Detroit Lions for 31 years until the end of the 2017 season. Brandstatter is also a sports television show host and former radio show host; both TV and radio shows about Michigan football. He played college football for the Wolverines, from 1969 to 1972, where he was a standout offensive tackle. Brandstatter has written two non-fiction books about UM experiences, both of which were best-sellers in the sports category. His other positions include the two-time president of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association. Brandstatter leaving the Detroit Lions radio broadcast was announced on July 10, 2018.
Early life
Childhood and family
Brandstatter was born in East Lansing, Michigan. He was one of 5 boys. His father Art Brandstatter, Sr. was named an All-American fullback for the Spartans football team in 1936. His father went on to become a Detroit Police officer. He was Head of the Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice. Later he was named Head of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia. Jim's older brother, Art Brandstatter, Jr., played defensive end for the Spartans from 1959 to 1961. Despite the family's legacy at MSU, Jim Brandstatter opted to attend the school's in-state rival the University of Michigan (the teams play annually for the Paul Bunyan Trophy). When asked about his early life and family in a November 2007 Detroit Free Press interview, Brandstatter responded: "My brother Art played at Michigan State, and he was my hero. ... I went to all the games. I got to know all the players, the team. I was just a 10-year-old kid. That was great, but when I got into high school and was playing, Michigan recruited me and I fell in love with the place. ... So I went against the grain, went to Michigan and never regretted it."
Sports career
He was an offensive tackle on the Michigan Wolverines football team from 1969 to 1972 during Coach Bo Schembechler's first three seasons. Brandstatter later noted one of his favorite memories as a player came in a 1971 victory against Michigan State. Brandstatter recalled, "That was as good as it gets." He added: "Bo (Schembechler) used to say and (offensive line coach) Jerry Hanlon might say, I may have played my best game ever as a collegian in that game." Hanlon said about Brandstatter: "He got so fired up, he took over every defender that came his way." He added "It was one of the best games a tackle played for me. That particular game, he was an All-American."
Brandstatter made the All-Big Ten team in 1971 and played in two Rose Bowls, during his time with Michigan (1970 and 1972).
Brandstatter signed with the New England Patriots of the National Football League after going undrafted in the 1972 NFL Draft, but was released during training camp in June. He joined the Lansing All Stars of the Midwest Football League in August 1974, where his brother Art was the head coach. He also played with the team in 1975 when they became the Lansing Capitals.
Broadcasting career
Television
After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1972, Brandstatter was hired as the sports director of WEYI-TV in the Flint / Tri-Cities area. In 1975, Brandstatter was sports director at WILX-TV in the Lansing / Jackson area. After two-and-a-half years, Brandstatter moved to Detroit and became a sports producer for WDIV.
In 1980, while working at WDIV, Brandstatter became the host of Michigan Replay, a weekly half-hour discussion, interview, and highlights program about Michigan Wolverines football. It originally featured his former head coach Bo Schembechler (until 1989). It later included former head coaches Gary Moeller (1990–1994), Lloyd Carr (1995–2007). In 2008 the TV Show became "Inside Michigan Football with Coach Rich Rodriguez (2008–2010), and Brady Hoke (2011–2014). Inside Michigan Football continues with head coach Jim Harbaugh. After 30 years, Brandstatter remains the original host and the show has grown from being seen only in Southeastern Michigan to available nationwide on cable and satellite.
Radio
Brandstatter formerly hosted a weekly college football radio show, called Brandy and Bo with Coach Bo Schembechler. Brandy and Bo talked with coaches previewing upcoming games and discussed issues facing collegiate football.