Jeff Dubay has been hired as a permanent co-host with Judd Zulgad on 1500-am's 9-noon radio program, the station confirmed Friday.

Dubay, formerly a 9-noon co-host on KFAN with Paul Allen, will begin in his new role Monday.

In a phone interview Friday, Dan Seeman -- who oversees 1500-am as the Vice President of Hubbard Radio -- said Dubay has been on the station's radar for a while. Terms were not announced, but Seeman said Dubay is under contract.

"He's always been an intriguing candidate," Seeman said. "He's talented and he knows what he's doing. ... He's well known. Dubay means something in this town.

Dubay, a former Twins batboy, has a considerable following among Twin Cities sports talk radio listeners. A spot on the 1500-am program with Zulgad, a former Star Tribune reporter, opened up in November when Joe Anderson (aka Mr. Phunn), was fired. Anderson is still being paid through the duration of his contract, which expires in late February.

Interestingly, Dubay will go head-to-head with Allen from 9-noon in his new role.

Dubay

"I can see the intrigue," Seeman said, "but it's not by design. It just happens to be where we had an opening."

Dubay was one of several fill-in guest co-hosts with Zulgad during the time between Anderson being fired and Dubay being named the permanent co-host. This represents a fresh start for Dubay. His addiction to crack cocaine led to his arrest in 2008 and time in the workhouse in 2010. It also led to KFAN firing him after 10 years as co-host with Allen.

"We felt the timing was right. We feel he's ready to do this and healthy to do this," Seeman said. "We think there's really good chemistry between (Dubay and Zulgad)."

Dubay posted on Twitter: "At a loss for words. Just signed the contract. The flood of well wishers always puts a lump in my throat. Thanks to everyone."

The station also announced other lineup changes recently, with Joe Soucheray's Garage Logic shifting to a 1-3 p.m. slot, Patrick Reusse joining him from 3-4 p.m. and Reusse and Phil Mackey going to drive time from 4-6 p.m. Those changes are expected to take effect Feb. 11, Seeman said. The station has still not decided how to fill its noon-1 p.m. time slot under the new format, Seeman added.