NBC Sports booth honors Dan Hicks during Notre Dame broadcast: 'Wish I wasn't here'

In the wake of the passing of long-time NBC Sports broadcaster Dan Hicks, Jason Benetti and Jason Garrett shared heartfelt tributes during Saturday's Notre Dame-Boston College broadcast. The duo spent several minutes honoring Hicks, who served as NBC's lead voice for Notre Dame football from 2013-16 and returned in 2024. Benetti, who replaced Hicks on the broadcast crew, expressed his sorrow, saying, "Our broadcast booth feels very hollow at NBC Sports.

Our colleague of 35 years, Dan Hicks, passed away on Wednesday and I wish I wasn't here right now." Garrett echoed those sentiments, stating, "I wish Dan was here right now. I know everyone does."

Hicks, who died at the age of 64, was known for his exceptional broadcasting career spanning golf, college football, and the Olympics. He was particularly admired for always embracing the moment and highlighting the people involved in the games, never making it about himself. Garrett remembered Hicks fondly, noting, "As legendary a broadcaster as he was, he was a better guy."

The NBC Sports crew honored Hicks prior to Saturday's game, lighting candles and saying a prayer for him and his family at Notre Dame's Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. Following the game, the Fighting Irish sent out a memorial in the press box, accompanied by a bouquet of flowers, a card, and a photo of Hicks and his wife. As of now, NBC has not announced a replacement for Hicks for their final Notre Dame telecast on Saturday, November 21, when the Fighting Irish host SMU at 7:30 p.m. ET.