After 36 years of dedicated service, Eli Gold, the iconic voice of Alabama Crimson Tide football, will no longer serve as the play-by-play announcer and host of "Hey, Coach" on the Crimson Tide Sports Network. The University of Alabama announced the departure of Gold in a news release on Wednesday. Chris Stewart will take over both roles starting with the spring A-Day football game. Gold had recently returned to the broadcast booth for the 2023-2024 season after missing the previous season due to health issues. Despite his comeback, the university made the decision for Gold to step down, with Gold emphasizing that it was not his choice to retire.

Gold expressed that the decision was made by the university and had nothing to do with his health, as he is now cancer-free and in good health. The original plan was for Gold to handle play-by-play duties for the A-Day game in April but the Crimson Tide Sports Network changed course and opted for a new direction, leading to Gold's departure. With his departure, Gold looks forward to taking on freelance work, including being the voice of the Arena Football League's Nashville Kats starting this summer.

Jim Carabin, Vice President and General Manager of the Crimson Tide Sports Network, praised Gold's invaluable contribution to the broadcast team and wished him the best in his future endeavors. Throughout his illustrious career with the Crimson Tide, Gold called the action for seven national championship games, 11 SEC championships, and 35 bowl games. His exceptional dedication and talent were recognized nationally when he received the 2019 NFF Chris Schenkel Award from The National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. Gold is also a distinguished member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the University of Alabama College of Communications and Information Sciences Hall of Fame. Additionally, he has won multiple Alabama Sportscaster of the Year awards and has a scholarship named in his honor benefiting University of Alabama students.