History of Kirk Herbstreit in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 26, 2025

Kirk Herbstreit is a prominent American sportscaster and former college football player. He is best known as an analyst for ESPN's College GameDay, a pre-game show covering college football, and as a color commentator for college football games on ESPN and ABC, and Thursday Night NFL games on Prime Video. Herbstreit has received five Sports Emmy Awards for his television work. He was also a commentator in EA Sports' College Football video game series for many years.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1960: Jim Herbstreit Co-Captain for Ohio State

In 1960, Jim Herbstreit, Kirk Herbstreit's father, was a co-captain for the Ohio State team.

August 19, 1969: Kirk Herbstreit Born

On August 19, 1969, Kirk Edward Herbstreit was born. He became an American sportscaster and former college football player.

Others born on this day/year

1988: Herbstreit Commits to Ohio State

In 1988, Kirk Herbstreit was the first player to commit to the Ohio State Buckeyes after John Cooper was hired as head coach.

1989: First Father-Son Duo of Captains

In 1989, James and Jeff Davidson were the first father-son duo to have each been Ohio State captains.

1989: Herbstreit Joins Ohio State Buckeyes

In 1989, Kirk Herbstreit started playing football as a quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

1992: Herbstreit Leads Ohio State as Senior Quarterback

In 1992, Kirk Herbstreit led the Ohio State team as a senior, serving as co-captain and being voted team MVP. He passed for 1,904 yards and set an Ohio State record for pass completions against Michigan.

1992: Herbstreit Named Co-Captain

In 1992, Kirk Herbstreit was named co-captain for Ohio State, making him and his father only the second father-son duo to achieve this.

1993: Herbstreit Concludes College Football Career

In 1993, Kirk Herbstreit ended his college football career with the Ohio State Buckeyes.

1993: Herbstreit Graduates from Ohio State

In 1993, Kirk Herbstreit graduated from Ohio State with a degree in business administration.

September 1995: Herbstreit Joins ESPN

In September 1995, Kirk Herbstreit began his career at ESPN as a college football sideline analyst.

1997: Sports Emmy Nomination and Column for The Sporting News

In 1997, Kirk Herbstreit was nominated for a Sports Emmy Award and wrote a weekly column for The Sporting News titled "Inside The Game With Kirk Herbstreit".

1998: Herbstreit Marries Alison

In 1998, Kirk Herbstreit married Alison, whom he met at Ohio State.

2006: Herbstreit's Completion Record Broken

In 2006, Troy Smith broke Kirk Herbstreit's Ohio State record for pass completions in a game, which Herbstreit set in 1992.

July 2007: Panelist on Who's Now

In July 2007, Kirk Herbstreit served as a panelist for the series Who's Now alongside Keyshawn Johnson and Michael Wilbon and contributed to 97.1 The Fan.

2007: Third Father-Son Duo of Captains

In 2007, Pepper and Dionte Johnson became the third father-son duo to have each been Ohio State captains.

2009: Herbstreit Sues IRS

In 2009, Kirk Herbstreit sued the IRS over changes to a policy regarding deductions for house donations to the fire department for training purposes.

2011: Herbstreit Moves to Nashville

In 2011, the Herbstreit family moved from Ohio to Nashville.

2013: Hiatus of NCAA Football Series

In 2013, the NCAA Football series went on hiatus and did not have a new entry until 2024.

2018: Herbstreit Replaces Gruden for NFL Draft Coverage

In 2018, Kirk Herbstreit replaced Jon Gruden for night one of ESPN's NFL Draft coverage. He later moved to ABC's coverage when they picked up the rights to air the first two nights.

2020: Monday Night Football Debut

In 2020, Kirk Herbstreit announced his first Monday Night Football game alongside Chris Fowler. He also worked a special MegaCast on ESPN2 for the Saints-Raiders game.

2021: Announcing the 2022 MNF Doubleheader

In 2021, Fowler and Herbstreit called the first game of an MNF doubleheader.

2021: Zak Herbstreit Joins Ohio State Buckeyes

In 2021, Zak Herbstreit, Kirk's middle son, joined the Ohio State Buckeyes as a preferred walk-on.

March 23, 2022: Herbstreit Joins Thursday Night Football on Prime Video

On March 23, 2022, Kirk Herbstreit became the color commentator for Thursday Night Football on Prime Video alongside Al Michaels, while also extending his contract with ESPN.

2022: Second MNF Doubleheader

In 2022, Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit called the first game of an MNF doubleheader during the final week of the 2021 season.

November 2024: Death of Ben, Herbstreit's Dog

In November 2024, Ben, Kirk Herbstreit's golden retriever, passed away due to leukemia. President Joe Biden sent Herbstreit a letter offering his condolences.