Michigan Announces 'In the Trenches' Podcast Hosted by Jon Jansen
6/29/2018 10:30:00 AM | Football, Fan Zone
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Former University of Michigan football captain Jon Jansen has joined the athletic department as a communications specialist and will focus his attention on promoting all aspects of athletics to the fan base. In late July, Jansen will launch a new project -- the "In the Trenches" podcast -- for the athletic department in partnership with IMG College. The podcast will air weekly throughout the academic year.
A first team All-America offensive tackle and Academic All-American in 1998, Jansen set Michigan's school record by starting all 50 games during his four-year playing career at right tackle. He received Michigan's Big Ten Medal of Honor in 1999 for his academic, athletic and community service accomplishments. Jansen was a two-time captain who led the Wolverines to back-to-back conference titles (1997-98) and was a leader on the 1997 national championship team. A two-time All-Big Ten first team performer, Jansen was named the 1998 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year.
After graduating from Michigan, Jansen was chosen by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played 11 seasons in the NFL for the Redskins and Detroit Lions before embarking on a broadcasting career that has included work with the Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, NFL Network and ABC. Jansen is currently a member of Michigan's IMG Radio Team. He co-hosts the pregame tailgate show while also providing halftime and postgame analysis on the network.
Q. What is your new role with Michigan Athletics?
A. "I am a communications specialist, which means I'm here to talk about Michigan and our student-athletes throughout all media platforms. The podcast is one way, but I will also be communicating with our fans through social media, print and video as well as various speaking engagements throughout the community and our alumni network."
Q. What are your goals for this new podcast?
A. "I want to be able to tell the stories of our student-athletes and the history of the University and athletic department in a fun and engaging manner. I have a unique perspective from being a student-athlete, professional athlete, and being on both sides of the microphone over the past 24 years. This perspective allows me to draw on all those experiences to give our fans a deeper understanding of what is happening, why it's happening and relate to those I'm interviewing in a way that allows them to tell their stories."
Q. What type of people will you interview?
A. "We will have student-athletes, coaches, alumni, members of the community, local and national media personalities, anyone with a connection to the University, near and far, and some that just love Michigan like we do. I will get a chance, during football season, to piggyback on my regular gameday duties on the radio and give deeper analysis of the games and a behind-the-scenes perspective as well as interviews. We will provide insight you won't be able to get anywhere else."
Q. What do you think that the podcasts can offer to Michigan fans?
A. "My hope for our fans is to take them along with me and experience things like the Big House, feel the excitement of running out of the tunnel, what it's like to be a student-athlete and how they manage the excitement of game day with their expectations as a student. I want the fans to have the opportunity to ride the ups and downs of a football season and get a first-hand experience of a championship season.
"Our podcast will offer fans the ability to experience all of this and catch up on what is happening at Michigan when they want. It's a downloadable audio file, which means you can listen to it when it fits your schedule and lifestyle the best. I never seem to be in my truck when my favorite radio shows are on. With the podcast format, I can download the show and then listen to it when I'm in my truck, on the treadmill, making dinner for my kids, or whenever best fits my schedule. It will also be interactive for the fans, who can reach me on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram with questions and even topics they would like to know more about or guests they'd like to hear from.
"Many of the fans have heard me on the radio. I like to have fun, and nothing gets me more excited than talking about the University of Michigan. I'm excited to be here, and I can't wait to get started."
Q. When will the first podcast come out?
A. "The first official podcast will be released Wednesday, July 25, following the Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. We may also have a few special editions early on, so stay tuned."
