It wasn't the greatest ending known to man," ESPN's Mike Golic said, recalling not only how "Mike & Mike," his radio and TV program of nearly 18 years with Mike Greenberg, came to a close late last year, but also the run-up to it.
Golic, now teamed with Trey Wingo on what's known as "Golic and Wingo," said he feels "rejuvenated" by the new program, which includes a role for son Mike Jr.
"You know, 18 years with Greeny, it was a great run," Golic, 55, said by phone this week. "There's no doubt about that. But it was getting to the point where you ask yourself, 'Have I done this long enough?' "
That said, Golic said he had no input in the decision behind Greenberg leaving to launch a New York-based morning television show on ESPN set to debut April 2.
Then there were the months after learning "Mike & Mike" was ending, Golic said, when neither he nor Greenberg was allowed to talk publicly or clarify what was happening, even well after news of the change broke.
"I don't like the way it was handled," said Golic, who came to radio after playing in the NFL and at Notre Dame. "I didn't like the way it ended, and I didn't like the fact we couldn't tell our listeners and viewers that this was happening before they already knew. So the last few months were tough."
While Golic discussed his new radio program, he wanted to plug his paid association with Janssen, a Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical business. On Janssen's icanimagine.com website promoting one of its prescription drugs (side effects may include dehydration, yeast infections, increased risk of lower-limb amputations, broken bones ... ), Golic shares his experiences managing Type 2 diabetes.
"Janssen has given me a great platform to go countrywide in talking about this, telling people not to go through this alone," Golic said.
(The following Q&A has been edited.)
