Sports betting can be a slippery slope if you’re not careful. ESPN radio host and college hoops analyst Dan Dakich learned that the hard way, confessing that a recent string of gambling losses made him realize the error of his ways.
“I lost sight of the value of a dollar,” Dakich told Barrett Sports Media, lamenting his reckless wagering during this year’s NCAA Tournament. “I woke up at 5:30 in the morning and I told my wife I had to make it up. Seriously, I went to the hardware store about a mile from my house and applied for a job, because I wanted to make the money back. I owe my family and I lost the value of a dollar.”
Dakich, who played under Bobby Knight at Indiana and later served as his assistant coach, didn’t go through with the hardware job, though he did land a gig as a delivery driver for DoorDash. “My stepson is doing Grubhub and I found out I could make around $25 an hour. He told me to do GrubHub or DoorDash so I started doing it,” said Dakich. “I had to punish myself, you don’t just piss money away.”
Dakich seems to be enjoying his new side hustle, punching in at DoorDash 4-5 times a week. He’s been recognized on multiple occasions and says these interactions have provided great content for his radio show in Indianapolis. “I pull up in this neighborhood and there’s three guys in their 30’s,” said Dakich, recalling one of his fan encounters. “They’re like, ‘Hey Dan! We listen every day!’ I handed them the food and they said, ‘No s---, you’re actually doing this?’”
The 58-year-old plans to continue driving for DoorDash and might even pursue other jobs to help pay the bills. “There’s so many jobs open. I only work for three hours a day and I told my wife I may be a waiter at Sullivan’s, which is a steak restaurant nearby. It’s been fun for me.”
Throughout his career, Dakich has been a frequent source of controversy, recently weathering criticism for tweets perceived as misogynistic. Dakich also caught heat for describing Scottsburg, Indiana as a “town full of meth and AIDS needles,” later downplaying his remarks as a joke that didn’t land.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram