People think being the face of College GameDay is all about private jets and picking winners on a Saturday morning. For Kirk Herbstreit, it’s a lot more complicated. Honestly, it’s kinda chaotic. Recently, everyone has been buzzing about the Kirk Herbstreit family move, trying to figure out why the most recognizable voice in the sport keeps shifting his home base between Tennessee and Ohio.
It isn't just about real estate.
It’s about a relentless fan base, a son’s high school football career, and a family trying to find a little peace in a very loud world. You've probably heard the rumors. Maybe you saw the headlines about him leaving Columbus years ago because fans were literally "relentless" about his objective reporting on the Buckeyes. But the recent move? That's a different story.
The Cincinnati Chapter: Why They Went Back to Ohio
Wait, didn't he leave Ohio for good?
Basically, yeah, that was the plan back in 2011. But life happens. The most recent "move" wasn't a permanent relocation to the Buckeye state, but more of a strategic rental. Kirk and his wife, Alison Herbstreit, set up a home in Cincinnati for a very specific reason: their youngest son, Chase Herbstreit.
Chase is a standout quarterback. He wasn't just playing anywhere; he was the starter at St. Xavier High School, a powerhouse program in Cincinnati. Kirk wanted to be there. He wanted to see his kid play. When you’re calling NFL games on Thursday for Amazon and flying across the country for GameDay on Saturdays, catching a Friday night high school game is a miracle. Being based in Cincinnati made that miracle possible.
Moving Back to Nashville in 2025
Now, things are shifting again.
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Kirk recently shared that the family is officially heading back to their long-term home in Nashville. They never actually sold the place in Tennessee. They just lived in Cincinnati part-time while Chase finished up his high school career. With Chase now committed to the University of Michigan—yeah, you read that right, a Herbstreit going to the rival Wolverines—the need for a home base in Cincinnati has wrapped up.
Kirk mentioned in a recent interview that he and Alison really missed the "trails" in Nashville. They’re big outdoor people. If you follow Kirk on social media, you know his Golden Retrievers, especially the famous (and sadly recently passed) Ben and now Peter, are a huge part of his life. Having that space in Tennessee just fits their lifestyle better.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2011 Move
To understand why they move so much, you have to look at the "Big Move" from Columbus. This is the one that still gets people heated.
In 2011, Kirk packed up his family and left Columbus, Ohio. This wasn't a career move. It was a "get me out of here" move. Even though he was a captain for the Buckeyes and his dad, Jim Herbstreit, was a legend there, a vocal minority of fans made his life miserable.
They couldn't handle him being objective on TV.
"Nobody loves Ohio State more than me... but I've got a job to do," Herbstreit told the Columbus Dispatch at the time.
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He felt like he had to defend his loyalty every single day. Imagine going to the grocery store and getting grilled about a comment you made about the Buckeyes' secondary. It wore him down. Moving to Nashville gave his family a buffer. In Tennessee, he's just another guy in a city full of celebrities.
A Family of Athletes: The Herbstreit Sons
The moves are almost always dictated by the kids. All four of Kirk’s sons have followed in his footsteps to some degree:
- Tye and Jake: The twins. They started out as walk-ons at Clemson. Jake eventually moved back to Ohio State to focus on academics, while Tye stuck it out with the Tigers.
- Zak Herbstreit: He chose the scarlet and gray, joining Ohio State as a preferred walk-on tight end. Zak’s journey has been tough; he was diagnosed with a heart condition in 2023 that ended his playing days, though he stayed on as a student coach.
- Chase Herbstreit: The baby of the family. He’s the reason for the recent Cincinnati stint. His commitment to Michigan for the 2025 season is probably the most "Herbstreit" thing ever—choosing his own path despite the massive family legacy in Columbus.
The Brutal Reality of the Travel Schedule
Let's talk about the logistics. It’s insane.
In 2025, Kirk’s schedule looks like a glitch in a flight simulator.
- Thursday: NFL on Amazon Prime (could be anywhere from Seattle to Miami).
- Friday: Prep and travel.
- Saturday Morning: College GameDay on-site.
- Saturday Night: Calling the "Saturday Night Football" game for ESPN/ABC.
He’s admitted to waking up and literally not knowing what city he’s in. That’s why the Kirk Herbstreit family move back to a "home base" like Nashville is so vital for his mental health. When you're flying 5,000 miles a week, you need a place that feels like a sanctuary, not just a pit stop.
Navigating Hard Times
It hasn't been an easy couple of years for the family.
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Beyond the moves and the travel, they’ve dealt with some heavy stuff. Kirk recently opened up about Alison’s battle with breast cancer. Then there was the loss of Ben, the Golden Retriever who became a national celebrity. Fans loved seeing Ben on the field during pre-game warmups. Honestly, Ben might have been more popular than Kirk in some stadiums.
Through all the relocations, Alison has been the glue. She was a cheerleader at Ohio State when they met, so she knows the pressure of the spotlight. She's handled the moves to Nashville, the temporary shift to Cincinnati, and the return to Tennessee with a level of grace that Kirk constantly praises.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Followers
If you're following the Herbstreit saga, there are a few things to keep in mind about why these moves matter for the broader landscape of sports media and family life.
- Prioritize Family Over Legacy: Kirk’s support of Chase going to Michigan proves that he values his children's individual happiness over "fan optics." If your kid needs to be in a certain city for their dream, you move.
- Privacy is a Commodity: Even if you're a public figure, you don't owe everyone a piece of your private life. Moving to a "neutral" city like Nashville is a smart play for anyone in a high-intensity career.
- Health and Wellness: The move back to Tennessee in June 2025 is largely about lifestyle—getting back to those trails and finding a routine that balances out a 100-hour work week.
The Herbstreit family is finally settling back into their Nashville routine. With the kids grown or off to college, the "moving trucks" might finally get a break. For Kirk, it means fewer local distractions and a chance to focus on the game he loves, even if he still isn't sure which time zone he's in.
To stay updated on the Herbstreits, keep an eye on Kirk's social media for his "travel logs" with Peter the dog, which often give the best glimpses into where the family is actually spending their time.