If you’ve spent any time driving the 5 or the 805 with your radio tuned to AM 1090 or 760 over the last two decades, you know the voice. It’s measured, slightly skeptical, and always backed by a level of preparation that puts most "hot take" artists to shame. Darren Smith San Diego listeners have long considered him the gold standard for sports talk in a city that often feels like it's fighting for its athletic soul.
But then, the signal went quiet.
Well, not quiet—radio never stops—but it changed. In July 2024, the sudden departure of Darren Smith from iHeartMedia’s San Diego Sports 760 sent a shockwave through the local sports community. It wasn't just another lineup shuffle. It felt like the end of an era for a specific kind of smart, sophisticated sports conversation that San Diegans had come to rely on since 2004. Honestly, it was a gut punch to a fan base that has already lost its NFL team and seen beloved stations fold like lawn chairs.
The Evolution of Darren Smith in San Diego
Darren didn't just stumble into a microphone in America’s Finest City. He arrived with a pedigree. Before he was the face of afternoon drive in San Diego, he was at the Mothership—ESPN Radio in Bristol, Connecticut. From 1998 to 2002, he was in the room while the modern sports talk format was being forged, producing heavyweights like Dan Patrick.
When he moved west, he brought that "big market" sensibility to the Mighty 1090. He wasn't there to scream at callers. In fact, his refusal to take random phone calls from "Joe in Chula Vista" became a hallmark of his style. He preferred high-level interviews and deep-dive analysis.
People loved it. Or they hated it because they couldn't get on air to complain about the Padres' bullpen. Either way, they listened.
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By the time he transitioned to San Diego Sports 760, he was more than a host. He was a fixture. Alongside his longtime producer and "sidekick" Marty Caswell—who is an absolute powerhouse reporter in her own right—Smith built a show that felt like a daily seminar on the state of San Diego sports.
Why the iHeart Era Ended
The split from iHeartMedia in 2024 wasn't about ratings. It rarely is these days. The industry term is "budgetary restructuring," which is basically corporate-speak for "the spreadsheet says we can pay a syndicated host way less than a local expert."
On July 2, 2024, the news broke. No big farewell tour. No emotional three-hour goodbye. Just an empty time slot and a brief, professional acknowledgment from colleagues like Jon Schaeffer and Jim Russell. It was a cold reminder of how the radio business operates in the 2020s.
But here is the thing: talent like that doesn't just evaporate.
Section 1904 and the New Frontier
If you’re looking for where Darren Smith San Diego is hanging his hat today, look toward the digital space. The transition from terrestrial radio to independent media is the "new normal," and Darren has leaned into it with a project called Section 1904.
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Partnering with John Gennaro—another name San Diego sports fans know from the blog and podcast world—Smith has moved the conversation to a daily digital format. It’s the same Darren. Still skeptical. Still a die-hard New York Knicks fan (we won't hold that against him). Still deeply connected to the Padres and San Diego State.
Why the shift matters for listeners:
- No Corporate Censors: He can talk about the messy details of local ownership without worrying about the station's sales department.
- Deeper Dives: If a topic needs 45 minutes, it gets 45 minutes. There are no "hard outs" for national news updates.
- Community Support: Section 1904 operates as a community-supported entity. It's a direct relationship between the creator and the audience.
It’s a gamble. Transitioning a "radio audience" to a "podcast/digital audience" is notoriously difficult. People are creatures of habit; they want to hit a button on their steering wheel and hear a voice. Asking them to find an app or subscribe to a Substack is a big ask.
The Current State of San Diego Sports Media
Honestly, the landscape is a bit of a mess right now. We’ve seen the loss of 1090, the shrinking of the Union-Tribune’s sports desk, and the constant threat of "syndication" replacing local voices. Darren Smith represented one of the last links to the "Golden Age" of San Diego sports radio.
His absence from the 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. slot on the AM dial has left a void for the type of fan who wants more than just box score reading. He was the guy who would explain the nuances of the Padres' luxury tax situation or the architectural hurdles of a new SDSU stadium.
What most people get wrong about Darren
A common misconception is that he was "too elitist" for the average fan because he didn't do the "caller-driven" show. But if you actually listen to his recent work on Section 1904, you see the opposite. He’s incredibly accessible; he just values the listener's time too much to waste it on uneducated rants.
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He treats the audience like they’re smart. That’s a rare commodity in media.
What's Next for Darren Smith Fans?
If you've been searching for Darren Smith San Diego wondering if he’s retired or moved back to Connecticut—he hasn't. He’s still here, he’s just moved the party. He’s currently covering everything from the rise of San Diego FC in MLS to the perennial "will they, won't they" drama of the Padres' trade deadline.
The reality is that local sports media is changing. It's moving away from the big towers and the corporate offices into the hands of individual creators. Darren is essentially the test case for whether a local "personality" can thrive without the backing of a massive media conglomerate.
Actionable Insights for the Local Fan
If you want to keep the local sports conversation alive in San Diego, you can’t just rely on the radio dial anymore. You have to be proactive.
- Follow the Talent, Not the Station: Track down the people you trust. Whether it's Marty Caswell on social media or Darren Smith on his new platforms, stay connected to the individuals.
- Support Independent Media: Whether it’s a subscription to a local sports site or a "Buy Me a Coffee" for a podcaster, these creators rely on direct support now.
- Engage with the New Format: Download the Section 1904 podcast or find their YouTube channel. The content is arguably better because the handcuffs are off.
- Demand Localism: If you do still listen to terrestrial radio, let the stations know that you value local hosts over syndicated national shows. Advertisers listen to numbers.
The voice of Darren Smith San Diego isn't gone; it’s just evolved. In a world of AI-generated clips and generic national takes, having a guy who knows exactly why San Diego fans feel the way they do is more valuable than ever.
Check out the latest episodes of Section 1904 to hear him break down the Knicks' recent Vegas run or the latest Padres roster moves. The frequency has changed, but the insight remains exactly the same.