College GameDay's Chris 'The Bear' Fallica ditching ESPN for new home

"The Bear", as he's affectionately known, is as much of the college football pregame experience as Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit. No, Chris Fallica, his real name, isn't as well known as Corso, Herbstreit, newcomer Pat McAfee or the likes of Desmond Howard, but don't get it twisted...he's been an integral part of ESPN's College GameDay for years now.

And now that's all going to change, to the benefit of FOX and specifically, FOX's Big Noon Kickoff. Awful Announcing is reporting that "The Bear" is leaving ESPN after almost 30 years with the four-letter network.

Fallica has become known for his GameDay segments in which he makes his picks for a few notable games based on the betting lines. Awful Announcing is reporting that his role for College GameDay's biggest competitor, Big Noon Kickoff, will be somewhat similar in that it will be focused on sports betting.

Not only will ESPN be losing a familiar face and College GameDay personality, but the dynamics of the show are certain to shift.

“Chris is great to work with and he makes the shows better. It’s definitely a loss that will be felt," a source told Awful Announcing.

It's going to be interesting to see how College GameDay changes over the next year or so. It's not just Fallica who has left for FOX, after all. Tom Rinaldi left GameDay and ESPN for FOX at the end of last season.

The addition of McAfee to the GameDay crew has certainly added a boost to the show, especially on social media, but how much longer will Lee Corso keep trotting himself out there? There's also the potential that FOX can poach some more talent from ESPN's coffers as it looks to establish Big Noon Kickoff as the new sheriff in town.

Good luck in your new home, bear.