Kirk Herbstreit has been on “College GameDay” for a long time – since 1996, to be exact – but should the college football and NFL announcer remain on the pregame show moving forward?

It’s a question people are starting to ask after Saturday’s show.

Advertisement

On Saturday, ESPN’s college football pregame show was live from Eugene, Oregon, ahead of the Big Ten showdown between the Ducks and the Hoosiers. However, Herbstreit was also scheduled to announce the Texas vs. Oklahoma game at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, at 3:30 p.m. E.T. So, Herbstreit had to leave ESPN’s “College GameDay” program early. He was streamed into the show, both on his way to the airport and on his private jet to Texas. It wasn’t the smoothest of operations, though.

ESPN had an announcer on standby in Texas, too, in case Herbstreit’s plane didn’t make it in time. Former college football star Andre Ware was at the game, ready to step in, in case Herbstreit had travel issues. Thankfully, he didn’t.

Advertisement

Still, this is all pretty chaotic. And, ultimately, it’s just not good television. The feed from Herbstreit’s private car to the airport and private plane to Texas was choppy, as would be expected. It’s ultimately a disservice to both those working on “College GameDay” and those watching at home to have a setup like this.

Is it time for ESPN to make Herbstreit choose?

Andrew Marchand of The Athletic thinks so.

Sports media critic sounds off

Marchand, who covers sports media for The Athletic, suggested that ESPN’s setup with Herbstreit on Saturday was simply “disrespectful.”

Advertisement

“That’s not good TV. I think ESPN and their execs, they have to ask themselves, is Kirk Herbstreit the only one who can do this?” Marchand said on his podcast Monday.

“Would we be better off just having someone else sub in for Kirk Herbstreit on College GameDay or have someone else do the game?”

Marchand was particularly bothered by the decision to have Andre Ware waiting around as a backup, Plan B.

“I think it’s totally disrespectful.”

Advertisement

Herbstreit loves college football, so it’s hard to see him giving up his role on “College GameDay” – or the biggest game of the week from an announcing gig. But, perhaps, on occasional weekends during the season – like this past one, when the travel logistics just didn’t make sense – Herbstreit could take a week off from announcing a game and ESPN could elevate someone else.

The ESPN college football analyst is already an incredibly busy man during football season, also calling games on Thursday Night Football for Amazon Prime. He would probably enjoy the rare weekend off from a college football announcing perspective.

Advertisement

It could be good for ESPN, too, to give someone else an opportunity at a big game.

This story was originally reported by The Spun on Oct 13, 2025, where it first appeared in the Sports Media section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.