Coordinating director Chip Dean joined ESPN in 1979, just two months after the network’s September launch. One of the industry’s most accomplished directors, Dean directed ESPN’s NFL telecasts for 18 years before stepping away in 2019 to focus on mentoring the company’s team of directors.
If there was a Mount Rushmore of ESPN event directors, Dean would surely be on it. His production credits over more than three decades include the NFL and NFL Draft; college football on ESPN and ABC; National Championship games; Big Monday and legendary BIG EAST basketball tournaments – including the historic six-overtime UConn vs. Syracuse game in 2009; the College World Series; X Games; ESPYS; the Indy 500 pre-race show; and more.