ESPN Insider / ESPN.com national college football writer Travis Haney took a few minutes to talk about the upcoming season and his new role at ESPN. Fresh off the presses in ESPN The Magazine “College Football Preview” issue, Haney penned a piece on the 2012 Texas Longhorns’ struggle to find the right signal caller and what little effect it may have on the Big 12 standings for this week’s. Complete interview below:
Can you talk about your path to ESPN?
I think everyone who grew up in the ’90s, at least those who love sports, fantasized about working for ESPN one day. I know I did, so I don’t take this for granted. I knew I wanted to work in sports and figured playing professional anything wasn’t going to be an option, so I started writing for my hometown newspaper, The Times-Enterprise in Thomasville, Ga., covering my high school’s football games. I fell in love with writing and off I went.
What are you most looking forward to about covering college football from a national perspective?
I’m enjoying the ability to cast a net over the entire country. As a beat reporter, you learn the ins and outs of one program – every nuance, player, detail, etc. Now I’m afforded the opportunity to keep things fresh by covering the entire country. It’s been a blast so far, and I’m just getting started.
What should readers know about you that they wouldn’t discover just by reading your articles?
I have an intense love for traveling, which is a big part of this job. I love immersing myself in places I’ve never been, so this is an ideal job for seeing new parts of the country and games in stadiums I never would have otherwise. As someone who grew up watching – and adoring – college football, who could ask for more?
What motivates your writing?
I’m very self-motivated. I recall my high school history teacher telling me, and my parents, that I was too hard on myself. But a lack of satisfaction only makes you better, I figure. I was doing a TV show taping recently with, among others, ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, Don van Natta and Wright Thompson. When these guys were talking about the important working relationships they have with people in sports, I found myself in awe of how good they are as reporters, but also I was reminded that I’ve got a long, long way to go to get where I want to be, which is at least approaching their level of excellence and professionalism. It’s an honor to work with people like Mark and Chris Low on a daily basis. They’re the best at what we do. I’ve always thought that, and now I’m a peer of theirs. It’s a humbling concept to me, and, again, it keeps me driving forward.
Is their one thing you try and bring to every piece?
Our goal with Insider is to provide elements and analysis that you’re not getting elsewhere. I’m learning how to recognize that as I go, because it takes time to look at things differently when you’re accustomed to doing it a certain way as a beat reporter. We want to try to look forward and advance a story as much as possible.
You’ve done some videos before, but how are you adjusting to your on-air roles at ESPN?
Sometimes I feel like Will Ferrell in Talladega Nights – “What am I supposed to do with my hands?!” They’re obviously very important, hands, but they might as well be anchors attached to your arms when the lights come on. And being close to our Charlotte offices is great, because the folks are absolutely fantastic to work with and be around. I really appreciate them taking me under their wing and allowing me to be part of their growing program catalog.
How did you research your article in for the ESPN The Magazine CFB Issue?
I spent time in Austin in April, just learning the lay of the land, but I didn’t realize I’d be reporting on Texas football for an ESPN The Magazine story at that time. I went back in late June for a second visit and then had some additional time with Mack Brown. So a lot of the research, the majority of it, really, was on-the-ground reporting. There were a lot of strong anecdotes and thoughts that made it into the story in which I teamed up with editor LaRue Cook.
If you had to pick two teams to make it to the Championship game this year, who would you pick?
I personally feel like LSU, with a quarterback who can throw the ball down the field, is light years ahead of any other team. I mean, it almost won a title last year without a QB. Now it sure seems like it has one, with Zach Mettenberger. Defensively, it will be just as sound as it was a year ago. A lot of people are all over USC in the preseason, but I think Oregon has the better team. If it gets decent quarterback play out of Bryan Bennett or Marcus Mariota, it can knock off USC either in the regular season or the Pac-12 title game – or both.
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