“Hello, friends,…” For years, Jim Nantz’s voice has become synonymous with March Madness. His comforting yet commanding presence brought a demeanor that basketball fans were familiar with. For many, Nantz’s call through the NCAA Tournament was as much a part of the event as the buzzer-beaters and Cinderella stories. But when Nantz surprised fans — and, well, everyone, really — by announcing his decision to step away from his duties as CBS Sports’ lead play-by-play man for March Madness, he left people questioning: why?

Jim Nantz became the lead voice of the event for CBS in 1991, and he’s called every Final Four since. Most fans can quote his famous “Hog Heaven” call from Arkansas’s 1994 title win or have ingrained the sound of him gasping, “Wow!” over when Derrick Rose rimmed a crucial free throw in the 2008 final. But that’s not what made Nantz so special. He could go with the flow of the game without over-embellishing the drama. Making him a voice fans could trust and latch onto. In 2023, however, Nantz thought it was time to step aside. But do you know the reason?

Why did Jim Nantz decide to step back?

The decision was not easy for Nantz, but it was time. In 2023, he announced that he would no longer be the lead announcer for March Madness, not because he was retiring, but because he wanted to focus on his family and his other broadcasting commitments. “I’m not retiring… You’re never going to walk away from the NFL — it’s too big — and golf is deep in my heart,” Jim Nantz said. But, he added, “Something had to go” to balance his work and family life better.

Jim Nantz, who is 63, explained that he wanted to spend more time with his family. He spoke of how much he cherished the time he had with his children. “Daddy needs to be home,” he told The New York Post in an interview. With two young kids and a daughter who is now older, Nantz wanted a chance to experience life other than in the broadcast booth. The family gets the man, but fans, who were his friends?

But Nantz didn’t leave quietly. In an emotional send-off to fans on his final broadcast, he said, “Thank you for being my friend.” For those who had grown up hearing him speak, those words were as personal as they were poignant. “Hello, friends” had long been his hallmark greeting, and then with those words, he was logging off for the last time from March Madness.

What’s next for CBS’s March Madness coverage?

Well, Jim Nantz has made it clear he won’t be there. But can anyone take his spot? At least there’s no harm in putting our trust. CBS has selected Ian Eagleto to fill in as its lead play-by-play announcer for the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Eagle has been at CBS since 1998 and is no stranger to big events. He has experience covering the NBA, NFL, and, of course, college basketball. So, he has plenty he can bring to his new position. A seamless transition is expected, thanks to Eagle’s well-rounded skill set, and encyclopedic basketball knowledge.

Eagle was named the official lead play-by-play voice in 2023, with Nantz’s decision to step down. He’ll be accompanied by two other familiar voices: the analysts Bill Raftery and Grant Hill. This team, joined by sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson, will step in to call the Final Four and National Championship games. But the chemistry between the team is durable and should feel familiar even if the voice behind the microphone is not.

Beyond the game coverage, CBS Sports will field an impressive studio lineup. Ernie Johnson will host the pregame and post-game coverage from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York alongside analysts Charles Barkley, Clark Kellogg, and Kenny Smith. Over in Atlanta, Adam Lefkoe will anchor the studio coverage with Jay Wright, Candace Parker, and Seth Davis. With this wide-ranging collection of analysts and hosts, CBS pledges an in-depth focus on the action during the entire tournament.

While it will surely be different without Jim Nantz, CBS is in good hands. Ian Eagle has decades of experience. And will make sure that March Madness will create the same excitement and tension fans expect. And for Nantz, departing allows him to savior March Madness as a spectator, not an announcer. “One of the great times of my life was sitting in the stands and getting to experience the excitement my children had watching the game. It brought me great joy.” Maybe, someday again, back to the box? Just one last time.