Greg Gumbel missing CBS’ March Madness coverage due to ‘family health issues’

A familiar face will be missing from CBS and Turner Sports’ coverage of the NCAA Tournament this year.

Studio host Greg Gumbel will be out for the tournament due to “family health issues,” The Athletic reported on Monday night.

Ernie Johnson is expected “to pick up more studio time” in Gumbel’s absence, per the report.

Gumbel, 77, has anchored CBS’s college basketball studio coverage since leaving NBC in 1998.

Elsewhere in this year’s NCAA Tournament broadcasting ranks, Ian Eagle is replacing Jim Nantz as the play-by-play man on the top announce team alongside Bill Raftery, Grant Hill and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson.

Nantz had been the voice of the Final Four for 32 years before signing off as UConn defeated San Diego State in the finals last year.

As for the other NCAA Tournament broadcast teams who will be working for the second weekend, Brian Anderson will work with analyst Jim Jackson and reporter Allie LaForce; Kevin Harlan will lead a three-man booth with Dan Bonner and Stan Van Gundy, and Andy Katz will serve as a reporter; Andrew Catalon will call games alongside Steve Lappas and reporter Evan Washburn.

Former Purdue star Robbie Hummel is part of the first weekend lineup when he’ll be teamed with reporter Lauren Shehadi.

This is the first time Hummel has worked the NCAA Tournament.

In addition to Hummel and Shehadi, first-weekend teams also include Lisa Byington with Steve Smith; Spero Dedes working with Jim Spanarkel and reporter Jon Rothstein; Tom McCarthy calling games with Deb Antonelli and Avery Johnson and reporter AJ Ross; Brad Nessler working with Brendan Haywood and reporter Dana Jacobson.

Jamie Erdahl will serve as the updates anchor during the games.