Dennehy to Star in ESPN Film

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Actor Brian Dennehy will star in ESPN's first made-for-television film,
playing basketball coach Bobby Knight in A Season on the Brink.

Based on John Feinstein's best-selling book chronicling the 1985-86 Indiana
Hoosiers season, the ESPN Original Entertainment production will air March 10,
the network said.

'An actor of great power, range and distinction, Brian Dennehy will admirably
set the stage for ESPN's first made-for-TV movie,' senior vice president and
general manager of programming Mark Shapiro said.

'Brian, a passionate sports fan, brings not only stature and presence, but
the full range of emotion necessary to fill the role of coach Knight,' he
added.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.