Effing Hired: Des Moines Duo Paired In D-League

Tom Witosky of the Des Moines Register lets us in on the silver lining for Marty Tirrell, Larry Cotlar, and Geoff Conn after their firing.

Iowa Energy officials decided today to keep Marty Tirrell and Geoff Conn on their game-day staff, and add Larry Cotlar to the team’s radio color commentary — beginning Saturday ((pictured, thanks WHO-TV)).

The surprise move came after all three men were fired Wednesday from KXNO Radio as a result of a profane, on-air argument last week between Tirrell and Cotlar during which Tirrell used the “f-word” at least a dozen times.

Cotlar, who engaged Tirrell in the argument, was co-host of “Cotlar and Company” – a morning drive sports talk show. Conn was Cotlar’s co-host and assistant program manager at KXNO.

“In the spirit of reconciliation, the Energy has invited Geoff Conn to continue as the public address announcer. Marty Tirrell will continue to do play-by-play and Larry Cotlar will be hired as the color commentator for all remaining home games and the playoffs,” the team said in a statement issued this afternoon.

The club also said that neither Tirrell nor Cotlar would have any comment on the incident until the Energy’s game Saturday night against Fort Wayne when “both will be given a chance to address the fans.”

At the same time, the team’s statement said that their decision was based on the fact that the men had apologized to each other as well as listeners and individuals mentioned in the argument for their behavior.

“This acceptance of responsibility and accountability was not only key to retaining the affiliation with the Iowa Energy, but also necessary in order to move the local sports community beyond this unfortunate incident,” the statement says. Team officials said that their decision shouldn’t be interpreted as condoning the incident.

“Regardless of whether Tirrell and Cotlar believed that they were having a private conversation, the content and tone of the conversation were completely unacceptable,” the statement says.

Energy officials also said that any future conflicts would not be tolerated.

But let's go ahead and revisit the conflict in question, anyway...

UPDATE: Cotlar changed his mind...

From WHO-TV...

Channel 13's Keith Murphy learned that Cotlar has since changed his mind and will not be broadcasting for the Iowa Energy.

Cotlar released this statement to Murphy: "I want to thank the Iowa Energy for offering the opportunity to be color commentator for the remainder of the season. However, I must respectfully decline their offer. Since I accepted that offer, circumstances have changed. I am now considering other career opportunities, and I choose to look forward. I sincerely regret any inconvenience I may have caused the Energy and wish them continued success good luck with their season."

The Iowa Energy says former Hawkeye standout and NBA player Bobby Hansen will do color commentary at Saturday's game against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

Effing Fired: The End In Des Moines

((HT: WHO-TV))

Three employees of a Des Moines sports radio station have been fired. KXNO has let go Larry Cotlar, Marty Tirrell and Geoff Conn ((pictured, WHO-TV)).

The firings relate to an incident at the station Friday morning. Hear the incident here...

A profanity-laced argument between Cotlar and Tirrell accidentally made it on the air. The argument happened during a commercial break when the men thought the studio microphone was not going out live on the air. The argument could be heard in the background of the commercials. Conn was reportedly running the audio board during the commercial break.

KXNO suspended Cotlar, Conn and Tirrell earlier this week.

They have not been on air since Friday.

Tirrell released a statement to the media on his termination. In part, it reads: "I have remained quiet for the past few days so Clear Channel could make their decision. That said, I have been eager to publicly apologize. Specifically, I would like to apologize to Larry Cotlar for the way I treated him. He deserved better, I would also like to apologize to anyone who heard the comments on the radio, to Bud Legg and the IHSAA and to Clear Channel for the embarrassment I have caused them."

Channel 13 has also confirmed Tirrell will no longer participate as a commentator on KCCI in the "Mouth of the Midwest" segment. Conn spoke with Channel 13's Keith Murphy and says he was fired for "violation of Clear Channel policy."

In a statement sent Wednesday afternoon, Conn wrote: "I am very sorry for what happened on the air Friday, I apologize to KXNO listeners. I am very thankful for the opportunity to work at Clear Channel Radio the past 14 years. Thank you to all my friends, colleagues and listeners who have been so supportive on this very tough day."

In a statement from Larry Cotlar, he apologized to KXNO listeners and also wrote: "I am saddened and deeply disappointed with Clear Channel's decision to terminate my employment after all my years of service over an unfortunate incident which I did not initiate nor had any knowledge was being broadcast over the airwaves."

Clear Channel senior VP Joel McCrea has confirmed the firings to Channel 13.Cotlar was host of Cotlar & Company, which Geoff Conn often contributed to. Conn was also the assistant director of programming at KXNO. Marty Tirrell was a co-host on Marty & Miller.