BRISTOL, Conn. — Matt Millen is a lot more popular as a broadcaster than he was as an NFL executive.

The architect of the league's first 0-16 team is joining ESPN as a football analyst. He was a successful commentator at CBS and Fox before taking over the Detroit Lions in 2001 — and leading them to one of the worst eight-year stretches in NFL history.

ESPN said Thursday that Millen will call college football games and appear on NFL studio shows. He served as a guest analyst with NBC during last season's playoffs after the Lions fired him in September.

ESPN executive vice president Norby Williamson calls Millen "one of the absolute best analysts in the business."

Millen was on four Super Bowl championship teams during his 12-year NFL career.