Kirk Herbstreit, the face of college football analysis on ESPN and a former Ohio State quarterback, knows how to break down a play. He's also really good at trashing Ohio State while doing his best impression of being impartial and neutral. But perhaps it’s time he spends less energy analyzing others and a little more looking in the mirror. From allegations about his personal life to clashes with fans and coaches, Herbstreit’s public persona is starting to resemble a fumbled snap.
A Sticky Situation
First up, the alleged cheating - in more ways than one. I'm sure all have heard of the allegations that Kirk was not really run out of town by Ohio State fans, but rather due to an alleged affair. Although that is unconfirmed, what is confirmed is that he has had Emmy Awards stripped - eight of them - after a scandal that he supposedly was "naive" to. As big of a control freak as Kirk has proven himself to be, who knew that the real rivalry wasn't Ohio State vs Michigan, but rather Kirk vs Accountability.
Fans: The "Lunatic Fringe"
Speaking of the fans, Herbstreit’s relationship with Ohio State supporters has been about as harmonious as TBDBITL failing to dot the "I". After dubbing certain fans the “lunatic fringe,” he alienated a big chunk of the fanbase. Sure, college football fans can be intense (it’s part of the charm!), but name-calling isn’t exactly a Hail Mary for goodwill. Maybe stick to breaking down zone defenses instead of Buckeye fandom, Kirk.
"Fake Nice" and Other Complaints
Adding a little spice to the drama, some insiders have accused Herbstreit of being “fake nice.” On the surface, he’s all smiles and handshakes, but behind closed doors? Allegedly, it’s more back-stabbing and surprising than a defensive line stunt. If true, that’s not exactly the playbook for a leader in college football analysis. Being authentic is key; otherwise, it’s all just a game of pretending—and not the fun kind.
The Ryan Day Snub That Wasn’t
Let’s not forget the recent drama involving Ohio State head coach Ryan Day. Herbstreit was apparently miffed that Day didn’t personally congratulate his son, Chase, a zero-star recruit, for committing to Michigan. Yes, that Michigan. Day probably has about a thousand things on his plate, and sending kudos to the son of a former player-turned-critic isn’t high on the priority list. Really, Kirk, this is like calling a timeout in the fourth quarter when your team is down 40. Not a great look.
Time for Introspection… or a Long Commercial Break
Herbstreit’s public missteps suggest it’s time for a little introspection. Maybe step away from the hot takes and take a moment to assess his own plays in life. Nobody’s asking for perfection—just a little less irony when dishing out criticisms. After all, if Herby can break down football strategy, surely he can figure out how to get his personal and professional game back in sync.
Until then, Kirk, maybe let the coaches coach, the fans cheer (or grumble), and focus on keeping your own end zone clear. Of course, I'm probably just an old man yelling at a cloud while Kirk cashes those checks and gets his marching orders from a Mouse.
