Career Timeline of Dick Vitale: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Dick Vitale built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Dick Vitale, or "Dickie V", is a highly recognizable American basketball sportscaster known for his enthusiastic and colorful commentary. He rose to prominence as a college basketball broadcaster for ESPN starting in 1979. Before his broadcasting career, Vitale was a basketball coach. His energetic style is marked by catchphrases like "This is awesome, baby!" and "diaper dandy." Beyond broadcasting, Vitale is also an author, having penned fourteen books, and has made appearances in films.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1958: First Coaching Job

In 1958, Dick Vitale started his coaching career at an elementary school in Garfield, New Jersey.

1964: Head Coach at East Rutherford High School

In 1964, Dick Vitale became the head coach at East Rutherford High School, his alma mater.

1971: Assistant Coach at Rutgers University

In 1971, Dick Vitale became an assistant coach at Rutgers University under head coach Dick Lloyd.

1971: End of Tenure at East Rutherford High School

In 1971, Dick Vitale concluded his tenure at East Rutherford High School, having achieved a record of 131–47 and leading his teams to two New Jersey state championships.

March 31, 1973: Named Head Coach at the University of Detroit

On March 31, 1973, Dick Vitale was named the head coach at the University of Detroit (now Detroit Mercy).

December 15, 1977: Herb Brown Dismissed

On December 15, 1977, Herb Brown was dismissed as the head coach of the Detroit Pistons.

1977: NCAA Tournament and Athletic Director Role

In 1977, Dick Vitale led the Detroit Titans to the NCAA tournament and was later named the university's athletic director after a successful season, including a 21-game winning streak.

May 1, 1978: Named Head Coach of the Detroit Pistons

On May 1, 1978, Dick Vitale became the head coach of the Detroit Pistons, signing a 3-year contract.

November 8, 1979: Fired from Detroit Pistons

On November 8, 1979, twelve games into the 1979-80 season, Dick Vitale was fired as the head coach of the Detroit Pistons after a 4-8 start.

December 5, 1979: First ESPN Broadcast

On December 5, 1979, Dick Vitale called his first college basketball game for ESPN, where DePaul defeated Wisconsin 90–77. Joe Boyle was his play-by-play partner.

1979: ESPN Broadcasting Career Begins

In 1979, Dick Vitale began his career as a college basketball broadcaster for ESPN.

1979: Bob McAdoo Transaction

In 1979, while Dick Vitale was in charge of player personnel, the Detroit Pistons acquired Bob McAdoo from the Boston Celtics in exchange for two 1980 first-round draft picks and M.L. Carr.

1983: Autograph Requests at the Final Four

In 1983, Dick Vitale realized the impact he was making as a broadcaster when many people wanted his autograph at the Final Four.

1984: Last NBA Playoffs Game

In 1984, Dick Vitale covered NBA playoffs games on television.

1985: Began Broadcasting on ABC

In 1985, after the American Broadcasting Company acquired ESPN, Dick Vitale also began doing broadcasts on the ABC network.

December 2002: Called LeBron James High School Game

In December 2002, Dick Vitale, along with Dan Shulman and Bill Walton, called a St. Vincent – St. Mary's–Oak Hill Academy prep game, featuring LeBron James.

2004: Vitale Did Approximately 40 Games a Year

By the 2004–05 season, Dick Vitale was commentating approximately 40 games a year.

January 7, 2009: Called First NBA Game Since 1984

On January 7, 2009, Dick Vitale called his first NBA game on television since the 1984 NBA playoffs. He announced the game between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets alongside Dan Shulman.

2009: Called Close to a Thousand Games

As of 2009, Dick Vitale had called close to a thousand games as a color commentator, often paired with Mike Patrick and Dan Shulman.

2010: NCAA Basketball Video Game Series Discontinuation

Until its discontinuation in 2010, Dick Vitale and Brad Nessler provided the commentator voices for EA Sports' NCAA Basketball video game series (formerly NCAA March Madness).