10 Questions with ... Jeff Dotseth

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started in radio almost 20 years ago as a weekend board op at the old KSDO 1130 in March of 1991. I moved crosstown to KFMB as their sports producer in March of 1995. Dave Palet and I started a weekend sports show in August of 1998, moving to weeknights one year later. We stayed at KFMB until March of 2002. After doing shows at ESPN, Sporting News, and FREE FM, Dave and I were hired as the morning show for the relaunch of XTRA in November 2007. When Dave left radio in September of 2008, I started doing afternoons with Josh Rosenberg. I was one of the people let go in January 2009, but got lucky and returned in July. I am back doing "The Drive" weekdays from 3-7pm, and will host the Chargers post-game show with Josh in the fall.

1. Since we last talked, you're working with a new partner; what's that transition been like, and what's it like to work with Josh? In a highly competitive sports radio market, how would you characterize what you and Josh offer?

It's different, but a lot of fun. Dave and I are close to the same age, and a lot alike, so we agreed on most things. Josh is 27, I am 42. Josh loves the NBA, and the World Cup, I like Hockey and MMA. The thing that makes the show work, though, is we are friends on and off the air, and we make each other laugh. That is the best thing about both of these guys. I trust them, which isn't always the case. I have heard plenty of stories of guys around the country backstabbing their partner to management, so I know how good I have had it. I think that is what makes the show work. People feel like they know us. When we are on remote, people come up and just start to talk! Josh and I have to stop them, introduce ourselves, learn their name, and then the conversation continues. I love that when people just come up and are comfortable enough to talk to me like we have been friends forever.

2. What topics get the best response in San Diego? Is it really all about the Chargers?

It is all about the Chargers, even with the Padres playing as well as they have. We talked NBA draft for 5 minutes the other night, and a guy called to complain. We are on the air 20 hours a week, and the audience was mad that we spent 5 minutes on the NBA draft. It was funny, but also a reminder that we are an NFL city. San Diego State has had success in basketball, but the football team has struggled for so long that people have only a slight interest in them. It's a pretty easy blueprint for sports radio in San Diego: Hype the Chargers, and hate the Raiders!

3. We've discussed the transition between non-sports talk back to sports; are you incorporating some of the stuff you did at Free FM into what you do now? Is there room for non-sports talk in a sports talk format?

I think so, but I am not a PD. I know when I go out with buddies of mine we talk about sports 85% of the time, but we also talk about what is going on in the news, movies, pop culture etc. If you were able to mix that in with your sports topics I think it keeps the host fresh and the topics fresh as well. I mentioned I am 42; there is nobody doing talk radio for my demo. If you started with a sports base, but had the ability to mix in some pop culture, without being juvenile, I think that could be pretty good.

4. What would surprise people most about you?

I think two things. I don't live and die with the teams. I am happy for them when they win, but some of the people in my audience are crushed after a loss. I haven't been that way in a long, long time. I also laugh when people meet me and say "Hey, you are a pretty nice guy." I got married 3 years ago and became a dad, so I think I have mellowed out a bit. The PR guys don't call to complain as much as they did 5 years ago, so that is nice, but I did light up a few callers this week, so maybe I am still a jerk!!

5. San Diego is a market where the papers get highly critical of practically everyone in sports radio. Do you pay attention to that stuff? How much does it matter what critics think of what you do?

I think everybody does no matter what they say. I have always taken the attitude they are just one guy with a radio. I try not to get too hyped when they praise us or too upset if they rip us. I do take issue when they print things about the show that they didn't hear, but were passed on to them by a friend. To do that without calling and asking for context, or confirmation that it was even said as a joke... but, for the most part, they have been pretty good to me over the years.

6. Is it easier to do sports talk when your local team is winning or losing? Is it more fun when the team sucks and you get to rip them, or when they're doing well and the town's feeling positive about their chances?

I think either way you are going to be OK. When the team is winning everybody is excited. When they losing everybody knows how to fix it. Our problem happens when the team is just "OK". People lose interest quick in San Diego. It might be that so many people have moved here from other places; They stay loyal to the hometown team, so if the Chargers or Padres are around .500, you have to work hard to keep the audience involved. It's tough to toe the company line if a team is horrible and you are on the flagship station. I was doing Chargers talk during their 1-15 year and also during the Ryan Leaf era. You have to be honest to keep your credibility, but you also have to protect the relationship between the station and the team. It's a bit of a tightrope act, so I will take 4 straight division wins anytime.

7. How do you prep your show? What's the process?

It's funny how it has changed over the years. I am a newspaper guy. I love getting the LA Times, and USA Today every morning, but in this job you have to know what is going on right now. The internet is great for sites like espn.com or PFT, but I was shocked at how many stories are broken on Twitter. I thought it was only for teenagers, but if you are smart about who you follow, and how often you check in, you can learn a lot. I have 3 year old twin boys, so I don't get to see a lot of sports in the morning, but I am here a couple of hours early to talk to Josh, write a blog, prepare for interviews, check the net, etc. In this job you are always prepping.

8. You cover things like the UFC as well as traditional sports; do you see fan interest in things like MMA or X-Games growing to the point where they become equal topics to, say, football or baseball? Will it be necessary for sports radio to focus on the new sports to remain relevant as we move forward?

Honestly, probably not. I also work for Dan Henderson, who is one of the top MMA fighters in the world, and San Diego always is in the top 10 when the PPV numbers come out, so you would think the interest would be there, but it's a pretty small piece of the pie. People were excited during the Winter Olympics for the hockey games, and we took a lot of calls during that time. Total calls on the Stanley Cup? Maybe 2. I know it is different in the Midwest or the east coast, but in San Diego it's football, football (a little bit of Padres), and football.

9. So... we're in the middle of the World Cup. Do you think soccer will ever become mainstream here or will it peter out after the tournament like it always seems to do?

I really doubt it will become mainstream, because of the lack of history and tradition with soccer in the States. The LA Galaxy have Landon Donovan, and play in the #2 market in the country, yet their stadium only holds 27,000 fans. It is a great story, and a better event, but I am guessing we will be right back to normal by August 1st.

10. What's the most valuable lesson you've learned in your radio career?

It was so simple, but Mark Jagger, who does mornings locally, told me a long time ago, "just be yourself". I think too many people try to do an impression of their favorite radio host instead of just being themselves. You have to trust your own abilities, and that can be hard when you start. I was lucky because I have always been in my hometown, and I knew a lot of the guests and callers from my time as a producer. That made the transition much easier, but it took me awhile to finally feel comfortable behind the mike.