Jim Donnan to provide live play-by-play analysis for Georgia-Florida game in Atlanta

Former Georgia head coach Jim Donnan will appear on a live broadcast to analyze the Saturday afternoon football game between Georgia and Florida. The matchup is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. EST kickoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. This venue shift occurs because renovations are currently underway at Jacksonville’s EverBank Stadium.

The appearance marks the first time the UGASports production, known as the Georgia Watch Along Show, will air on FOX Local. Donnan will join UGASports publisher Radi Nabulsi to provide live commentary. Fans can access the stream through the FOX Local application, where they can sign up for free to leave comments during the game.

Donnan served as Georgia’s head coach from 1996 to 2000. During that tenure, he posted a 40-19 record. He became the first coach in school history to lead the Bulldogs to four consecutive bowl victories. Donnan earned the SEC Coach of the Year award in 1997 and has been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

His coaching career included developing current Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. Nabulsi, a University of Georgia graduate, has covered the Bulldogs for 33 years. He has served as the publisher of UGASports for the last 12 years after working at ESPN.

Nabulsi told host Eric Perry on FOX Local that the show originated from fan complaints about national announcers. He noted that national broadcast teams often arrive on Thursday, spend an hour with coaches, and then call the game. He believed a former head coach who mentored the current staff could offer a more informed perspective.

"I said, ‘You know, Coach, would you be willing to come on during a live game and just talk about what you see?’ And he does," Nabulsi said. He explained that Donnan reads defensive formations and offensive setups before the snap. Donnan frequently calls out specific plays, such as split zone runs or wide zone concepts, before the action unfolds.

Nabulsi highlighted the directness of Donnan’s commentary during recent games. He recalled a loss where Donnan called out specific errors without making excuses. "He says, this is what's going wrong, and here is why," Nabulsi said. He noted that Donnan openly roots for the current staff, including Smart and Bobo, creating a dynamic that has attracted tens of thousands of viewers to the social media platforms where the show is typically hosted.

The Georgia Watch Along has previously been available to fans who synced the audio with their television broadcasts. The move to FOX Local extends the reach of the production for the upcoming game. The Invesco QQQ Atlanta Gridiron Classic will air on the network’s digital platforms.