Doug James Doug James ( born July 17 , 1962 in Louisville , Kentucky ) is a former American football player for the University of Michigan Wolverines ( 1980 – 1984 ) under coach Bo Schembechler . Since 1985 he has worked as a football color commentator on radio and television and in radio sales and management . Football player . James was an all state football player at DeSales High School in Louisville in 1979 . After graduating in 1980 , James joined former high school teammate William " Bubba " Paris at Michigan , where Paris went on to earn All American honors before winning three Super Bowl s with the San Francisco 49ers . At Michigan James wore jersey number 73 , and played multiple positions on both offense and defense at Michigan . He was a starter at three different positions including middle guard on defense , offensive guard and offensive tackle . He was honorable mention All Big Ten at offensive tackle in 1983 and second team All Big Ten in at offensive guard in 1984 . In 1984 he was elected Michigan ’ s co - captain and was named most valuable lineman , and hustler of the year . During his career James earned 4 varsity letters while Michigan won two Big Ten Championships and played in five bowl games , including the Rose Bowl , in 1981 and 1983 , the Sugar Bowl , Bluebonnet Bowl and Holiday Bowl . Considered an over achiever , Bo Schembechler told James he had “ the worst body in the history of Michigan Football “ . James once asked Schembechler if he had such a terrible body , why was he able to play so much , to which Schembechler responded , “ because I ’ m a heck of a coach . ” On November 17 , 2006 , Bo Schembechler died . It was on the eve of the showdown between Michigan and Ohio State which pitted the top ranked Buckeyes against the second ranked Wolverines . James recounted some of his favorite memories of his old coach in an ESPN . com article by Pat Forde , ending with a poignant quote . " It ' s disappointing he ' s not going to be here for the game , " James said . " But I guess he ' s going to have a better seat than all the rest of us . " Broadcasting career . After graduating from Michigan in December 1984 he worked briefly as a graduate assistant for Coach Schembechler . He started his radio career in 1985 in Flint , Michigan as a color commentator for Michigan Football on WTRX - AM . In 1986 he began his career in radio sales at the same station . James returned to his hometown in 1988 and in 1990 started working for Clear Channel radio as a sales person for WAMZ radio . He joined the University of Louisville football radio broadcast team on sister station WHAS - AM radio in 1990 when the Cardinals finished with a record of 10 - 1 - 1 under coach Howard Schnellenberger and won the Fiesta Bowl over Alabama . James advanced his career in sales and management at Clear Channel , ultimately earning the title of Vice President and General manager for three of that company ’ s stations , WQMF , WTFX and WQSH . He continued to broadcast Louisville football , and co - hosted a popular weekly football talk show on WHAS radio with Tony Cruise . During the 2000 football season , James left Clear Channel to work for Blue Chip Broadcasting in sales management . During the 2000 season , James began working as the color commentator for University of Louisville football on WDRB Fox 41 TV with Don Russell doing play by play . In his 21st year covering the Cardinals , James continues working as a commentator on WHAS 11 television , an ABC affiliate , broadcasting with Drew Deener handling the play by play duties in 2011 . James served as Director of Sales and National Sales Manager for Main Line Broadcasting in Louisville , which owns five radio stations including WDJX , WGZB , WMJM , WESI and WXMA . He currently serves as Director of Sales at WBLS and WLIB Radio for Inner City Broadcasting Corporation in New York , New York . Personal . James has been very active in the Louisville community serving on the Board of Trustees for Jewish Hospital and St Mary ’ s Healthcare , DeSales High School Foundation , and Holy Rosary Foundation . He is also a member of the Advertising Federation , The Louisville Radio Broadcasters Association and The Kentucky Colonels . He has received a number of awards including : DeSales High School Hall of Honors 1991 , AWRT Lifetime Service Award 2001 , Mayor of Louisville Distinguished Citizen 2008 , and Catholic Education Foundation Distinguished Alumni 2008 .