Shae Cornette gets the hot seat at ESPN .

The “SportsCenter” anchor will take on hosting duties on “ First Take ,” the hot-talk sports program built around the oratory and opinions of Stephen A. Smith . She replaces Molly Qerim in the role, who served as the program’s quiet sheriff maintaining a steadfast presence that may not have been the showiest, but which always commanded respect. Qerim had been with “First Take” since 2015, when it was still part of the schedule of ESPN2.

Cornette, who has been filling in on “First Take” since Qerim’s departure, make her official debut on Monday, Nov. 3. She will wrap her duties on “SportsCenter” on October 25, with a final show.

“Hosting ‘First Take’ is no easy assignment. It requires confidence, toughness, and real sports insight — and

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