USA Network has named Ryan Leaf, former San Diego Chargers quarterback, as its lead game analyst for Pac-12 Conference football games on USA Network. It’s the networks inaugural season of college football.
Leaf brings deep Pac-12 roots to the role. He was a standout quarterback at Washington State when the conference was known as the Pac-10, leading the Cougars to a Rose Bowl appearance in 1997. He placed third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1997, following his career at Washington State.
“I am incredibly humbled and grateful for the opportunity to lead USA Sports’ inaugural season of Pac-12 coverage,” Leaf said in a statement announcing his hiring. “USA Sports has made a big investment in myself and in the Pac-12. They want to be the authentic home for the conference with the biggest games week-in and week-out.”
Jeff Behnke, executive VP of sports production at USA Sports said, “We’re incredibly excited to have Ryan join the USA Sports team in our first season of Pac-12 coverage on USA Network. Ryan’s extraordinary career at Washington State, paired with his intimate knowledge and passion for the conference, will offer viewers one-of-a-kind insight and elevate our team’s coverage across the board.”
Leaf’s broadcast career has included NFL games for Westwood One Sports and as a college football analyst for The CW, ESPN and the Pac-12 Network.
In addition to college football, Leaf is scheduled to call select Pac-12 basketball games on USA Network.
San Diego football fans remember Leaf as one of the worst draft picks in NFL history. The Chargers drafted Leaf No. 2 overall in 1998, one pick ahead of Peyton Manning, who went on to a Hall of Fame career. Leaf inked a four-year, $31.25 million contract, including a guaranteed $11.25 million signing bonus.
“I’m looking forward to a 15-year career, a couple of trips to the Super Bowl, and a parade through downtown San Diego,” Leaf said after being selected.
Falling far short of those ambitions, Leaf won merely four of his 18 starts across three seasons with the Chargers. Following his 2001 release by the Chargers, Leaf had brief stints with Tampa Bay, Dallas and Seattle. He retired unexpectedly before the Seahawks’ 2002 training camp.
Leaf’s life immediately after football was marked by drug addiction and legal trouble. He was arrested on charges including burglary, theft and criminal possession of dangerous drugs after breaking into homes in Great Falls, Mont., to steal prescription painkillers, ultimately serving time in Montana State Prison.
Since his release, Leaf has rebuilt his public life as a voice on addiction recovery and mentorship for young athletes. ESPN hired him as a college football analyst in 2019, and he’s become a sought-after speaker including during Senior Bowl week in Mobile, Ala. this past January to share lessons from his career and its aftermath as a cautionary tale for NFL hopefuls. He continues to speak openly in media appearances about his life after football and dealing with addiction.
“Ryan Leaf’s journey embodies the growth, accountability, and resilience we strive to emphasize during Senior Bowl week,” said Scott Cooper, chairman, Mobile Arts & Sports Association. “His willingness to share his experience provides our players with invaluable perspective as they prepare for life at the next level.”
Today, Leaf is CEO of RAM Consultant Inc., an ambassador in recovery with the Menninger Clinic and host of his own show on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
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San Diego was ‘no brainer’ for Ben Marcotte, new program director for Rock 105 and KGB-FM
iHeartMedia in San Diego has named Ben Marcotte as program director for San Diego radio stations KIOZ-FM Rock 105.3 and KGB-FM 101.5. He will be responsible for programming, social and digital strategy for both stations, a statement said.
Most recently, he was senior VP of programming with iHeartMedia in St. Louis and Indianapolis.
“It was a no-brainer to come here,” Marcotte told Times of San Diego. “You’ve got two legendary rock stations, with incredible teams of talented people. This felt like one of those opportunities you don’t overthink. Plus, the weather here isn’t too bad either.”
During his 14 years with iHeartMedia, Marcotte has held 14 roles in several markets, including Seattle, Portland and Spokane. In 2025, Barrett Media named Marcotte as No. 14 among the nation’s top 20 classic rock radio program directors.
In addition to his most recent role as senior VP of programming in St. Louis and Indianapolis, Marcotte hosted an afternoon show for WOLT-FM Indy 103.3. He also added programming duties for WFBQ-FM Classic Rock Q95 in Indianapolis in December 2022, and moved to the SVP position for both Midwest markets at the start of 2025.
Also during his career, he has worked at KFOO-FM 96.1 in Spokane and KFOO-FM 102.9 in Seattle (same call letters with two different radio stations in Spokane and Seattle), along with KJAQ-FM 96.5 Jack-FM in Seattle and KKRZ-FM 102.3 in Portland. He also held production roles at WLS Chicago.
While living and working with iHeart in San Diego, Marcotte told Times of San Diego he will continue as on-air host at WOLT-FM Indy 103.3 in Indianapolis.
A statement said Marcotte will report to Gene Romano, executive VP of programming for iHeartMedia.
“Ben’s broad background in rock makes him a perfect fit,” said Romano. “He’s always curious and creative on how to keep up with listener’s always evolving tastes. He’ll bring some full volume fun with him to the west coast.”
Barrett succeeds Taylor Jukes who served in the program director role beginning in February 2024. Linkedin says Jukes is now providing selective consulting and advisory support.
iHeartMedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: IHRT) in San Diego operates a cluster of eight radio stations, including KOGO 600-AM, KGB-FM 101.5, KGB-AM San Diego Sports 760, KHTS-FM Channel 93.3, KIOZ-FM Rock 105.3, KMYI-FM Star 94.1, KSSX-FM JAM’N 95.7 and KLSD 1360-AM The Patriot.
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PRSA offering free advice to nonprofits
The Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) San Diego-Imperial Counties chapter will host “Quality Time with PR Minds,” its annual outreach to help nonprofits with their communication goals, from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 23, at the Better Business Bureau offices, 4747 Viewridge Ave., San Diego.
At the event, PRSA members with at least five years of experience will volunteer to provide free, one-on-one advice and PR, communications and media relations consulting to representatives of local nonprofits.
The event also will include remarks by Crystal Page, vice president of communications at Prebys Foundation, on the importance of strategic communication for nonprofits. Dinner and non-alcoholic beverages will be available.
PRSA officials say the annual event, now in its 9th year, is a favorite of senior-level members because it’s an opportunity to brainstorm and use their best-practices expertise to help raise awareness of good works happening in San Diego’s nonprofit community.
For more event information, contact Nickie Pena, nickie@nickiepena.com, or visit www.prsasdic.org.
Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly in Times of San Diego.
