Moving Ahead In The Action With…Jordan Cornette
As more live sports return to ESPN platforms, meet some of the people working to deliver these events to fans
With college football’s return came the return of ACC Network’s signature football studio show The Huddle with new host, Jordan Cornette.
However, due to COVID-19 safety protocols, Cornette finds himself in a unique situation – he is the lone individual behind the desk in ACCN’s Studio G each Saturday morning. With his teammates Eric Mac Lain, EJ Manuel and Mark Richt all at their respective homes using remote set ups, Cornette has had to adjust.
“It’s challenging not having guys in studio for those organic moments of true spontaneity. That is sorely missed, but we are getting more comfortable with the remote setup, and there is still a lot of off-the-cuff fun. There is too much personality with our team to avoid it,” said Cornette.
MOVING AHEAD ARCHIVE
Profiles
A typical football Saturday for Cornette lasts nearly 17 hours as ACC Network features a tripleheader of games at noon ET, 4 p.m., and 8 p.m., with a two-hour The Huddle leading into the day’s slate, halftime coverage and an hour postgame The Huddle show.
While he may be alone in studio, technology and texting allows for constant communication and reaction with Mac Lain, Manuel, and Richt throughout the day.
“In the new world, it makes you truly appreciate having the guys in the studio, but like everyone, we, too, are adjusting in the COVID-19 era,” said Cornette on this season’s set up of The Huddle. “We have an on-going text chain of thoughts and reactions throughout the day as well as communicating through Zoom to keep engaged, connected, and in a rhythm. I miss having my guys with me, but they never feel too far away.”
Along with The Huddle on Saturdays, fans can also catch Cornette and his wife Shae Peppler Cornette on ESPN Radio each Sunday afternoon from 1-5 p.m. for GameDay. They are the first married couple to co-host an ESPN Radio show.
BIO BLAST
Name – Jordan Cornette
Hometown- Cincinnati, Ohio Residence- Fairfield, Conn.
Roles – Host of The Huddle/ACCN studio anchor/college basketball analyst/ESPN Radio host
Years at ESPN – Second year fulltime
Favorite Team – Cincinnati Bengals
Favorite Athlete – LeBron James
Things I’ve missed most from live sports – “The moments! Sports is the best reality television content ever created. It always delivers. Can I steal that line from [ESPN college basketball analyst] Jay Bilas?”
ESPN personalities most missed – “The Huddle crew. No one has more fun on air than “Big Pretty” Eric Mac Lain, QB1 EJ Manuel, and our coach, Mark Richt. I’m juiced, and at the same time honored, to join this talented trio on Saturdays throughout the fall.”
Favorite Thing I’ve watched since March – “Whoever doesn’t say The Last Dance, I’d like to have a word with them. But also – the NBA bubble – that’s been amazing, too. However, The Last Dance was the oasis in the quarantine desert that we all needed. ”
Personal sports highlight – “Striking a golf ball 300 yards down the middle of the fairway. It was real, and it was spectacular.”
