If you’ve spent any Saturday morning over the last thirty years watching College GameDay, you know Kirk Herbstreit. He’s the guy who somehow makes a suit look natural in a rain-drenched stadium while Lee Corso is wearing a giant mascot head next to him. But while we see Kirk’s face every single week during football season, the woman standing beside him has stayed mostly out of the bright lights.
So, does Herbstreit have a wife?
Yeah, he definitely does. Her name is Alison Butler, and honestly, their story is basically a real-life version of a high school movie script, except it happened at one of the biggest football programs in the country. They’ve been together through the highs of Kirk’s rise to broadcasting royalty and the lows of some pretty serious health scares recently.
The Ohio State "Meet-Cute"
Kirk and Alison didn’t just meet at a coffee shop. They met at Ohio State University in the early ‘90s. At the time, Kirk was the starting quarterback and co-captain for the Buckeyes. Alison? She was a cheerleader on the sidelines.
It’s a classic sports romance.
They dated throughout their college years and finally tied the knot in 1998. By the time they got married, Kirk was already transitioning from a player into the media personality we know today. Since then, they’ve built a life that revolves around four sons and a rotating cast of famous Golden Retrievers.
Who Is Alison Butler?
Alison isn't someone who spends her time trying to be an influencer or chasing the spotlight. She’s famously private. You won’t find her in many public interviews, and she doesn’t really do the whole social media fame thing.
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Most of what we know comes from Kirk himself, who has often called her his "blessing." During a rare interview with Columbus Monthly years ago, Kirk admitted he had no idea how she handled the chaos of their lives.
"My wife is such a blessing. She's so understanding of my schedule... I don't know how she does it. I have no idea."
That schedule is no joke. Between flying across the country for GameDay on Saturdays, calling Saturday Night Football, and then doing Thursday Night Football for Amazon, Kirk is rarely home during the fall. Alison has been the one keeping the wheels on the wagon for over 25 years.
The Herbstreit Family Dynasty (and the Michigan Drama)
You can’t talk about Alison and Kirk without talking about their four sons: Jake, Tye, Zak, and Chase. All four followed their dad into football, but the family’s loyalty to Ohio State has been tested in some hilarious—and stressful—ways.
- Jake and Tye (Twins): These two started as walk-ons at Clemson. It was a weird sight for Buckeye fans to see Alison wearing Clemson orange in the stands, but she’s a "mom first, fan second" kind of person.
- Zak: He followed the legacy and went to Ohio State as a tight end.
- Chase: The youngest. In a move that probably caused some awkward dinner conversations, Chase committed to play for the University of Michigan—Ohio State’s biggest rival.
Kirk has been vocal about supporting Chase’s choice, even if it means the family "scarlet and gray" household now has to tolerate some "maize and blue."
A Tough Year for the Herbstreits
While the family usually keeps things upbeat, 2024 and early 2025 were incredibly heavy. In a raw moment on The Pat McAfee Show in January 2025, Kirk got emotional while opening up about what was happening behind the scenes.
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He revealed that Alison had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024.
This was happening at the same time the family lost their beloved Golden Retriever, Ben—who had become a national celebrity in his own right—and while their son Zak was dealing with a serious heart failure diagnosis that forced him to retire from playing.
It was a lot.
Kirk mentioned that "Ali faced some stuff" and that it had been a "tough year behind the scenes." The fact that they kept most of this private while Kirk continued to appear on TV every week says a lot about the family's resilience.
Where Do They Live Now?
The Herbstreits have moved around a bit, mostly to escape the intense fishbowl of Columbus, Ohio. In 2011, they famously moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Kirk was honest about it at the time, saying a small segment of the Ohio State fanbase was making it hard for his family to live a normal life.
However, they eventually found their way back to Ohio, at least part-time. They rented a place in Cincinnati so Chase could finish high school at St. Xavier, and they still maintain their home in Nashville. They’re basically a family that lives on the road, much like Kirk’s career.
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Why People Are Searching for This
The reason the question "does Herbstreit have a wife" pops up so much is simple: Kirk is everywhere, but Alison is rarely seen. In an era where most celebrity wives have their own reality shows or massive Instagram followings, Alison’s choice to stay out of the fray makes people curious.
She isn't a "public figure" in the traditional sense. She’s a former athlete, a cancer survivor, and the backbone of a family that is essentially the First Family of College Football.
Key Takeaways for Fans:
- Married Since: 1998.
- College Connection: Met at Ohio State (QB and Cheerleader).
- Family: Four sons, all of whom play or played college football.
- Health: Kirk recently shared that Alison battled breast cancer in 2024.
- Vibe: Extremely private and family-oriented.
If you’re looking to follow the family’s journey, your best bet isn’t looking for Alison’s social media (she doesn't really have it). Instead, keep an eye on Kirk’s Instagram, where he occasionally posts "rare glimpses" of their dinners or family milestones.
Next Steps for You: If you’re interested in the family’s latest updates, you can check out Kirk's official social media profiles or follow the "Streit Talk" podcast hosted by his sons Jake and Tye. They often give more "unfiltered" looks at what it's like growing up in the Herbstreit household than you'll ever get on an ESPN broadcast.