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Dan Patrick is just doing radio now, his own show without the ESPN logo screaming in the background.

He should get back into some form of television — where he made his name — soon, but how did the Mason native and UD grad get into radio in the first place?

Five questions with Dan the Man:

Q So, how did you get into radio?

A I grew up with radio, Joe Nuxhall and Marty Brennaman and even Al Michaels (doing the Reds). I remember listening to WSAI with Jim Scott in the morning. We only had three television channels. Television didn't have the fascination for kids like those coming up now.

I had been doing SportsCenter at ESPN and they started weekend radio, and I'd come in for a six-hour radio shift on Saturday and Sunday. I never got paid. I liked it. When you're in television, you don't talk sports. You deliver. In radio, you talk sports. I always said to the radio people, 'If you ever go five nights a week, let me know.'

Q Since television made you famous, why didn't you stay with that?

A I was never comfortable with television. I thought I mastered it, but I thought it was a lot of work for a little result. It was very superficial. Radio is me. It's not dressed up with highlights or anything. It's just me. I never got hold of it (television). I went into it every single night nervous. I used to get done with SportsCenter, take the tape and go upstairs and watch the entire show. (Keith) Olbermann finally said, 'This only makes you worse. It's done. Be yourself.' I never looked at a tape again. It would drive me crazy.

Q How did you get your first big job at CNN?

A I was working part-time at Channel 2 and I remember the first night I filled in for Omar Williams and did the sports. (Anchor) Kris Long threw it to me and I did it. I don't know how good I was. I know my dad watched and he said I was good. But I didn't get the weekend anchor job, and I figured, if I can't work in Dayton, Ohio, how can I work some other place? But I had this audition tape from Channel 2 and when I was visiting my girlfriend (whom he married) in Atlanta, I dropped it off at CNN.

I didn't even know who was in charge of sports, but it was Bill McPhail, and he was from Columbus. The receptionist said he'd look at the tape, and I told her this was my last weekend in town. I don't know, maybe it was because I was from Ohio. McPhail came out. My tape was 12 minutes long and he looked at nine minutes of it. He asked when I could start. I said I needed to give my employers (also WTUE) two weeks notice. He said, 'How about a week's notice.' I took an $11,000 pay cut to take that job.

Q What's the best non-broadcast perk about your new job?

A I built a studio in my house in New Haven, Conn. I used to commute almost an hour each way (to Bristol, Conn.). Now I just go upstairs in my Dayton Flyers sweatshirt and hat and sweatpants and do a show. I've got a staff of three other guys. I haven't had this much fun. It's harder work. You're the one doing the work. If you need ink for the fax machine, you have to go out and get it. You have to get the guests. But that's what I like. I'm the toughest critic. And I get to see my four kids every day.

Q You passed on hosting The Price is Right and some other stuff. But you've said you'll get back into some form of television. Like what?

A I'm not sure. I've had talks about a lot of things — hosting Notre Dame football and stuff. I think I might want to get into doing some documentaries. When I left ESPN, my contract stated I can't get back into television until February. We'll see then. It's still radio I want to do. Everything else is an offshoot. I'm doing what I want to do, not what I have to do.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2157 or mkatz@DaytonDailyNews.com.