Kirk Herbstreit lives in a magnificent 11,000 square-foot estate in Franklin, Tennessee, about 40 minutes south of Nashville. His property, valued at approximately $6.1 million, is much larger than his previous 9,686 square-foot Ohio home.

Built in 2007, his beautiful Tennessee house boasts six bedrooms and 8.5 bathrooms. Herbstreit’s family plans to move back to Nashville in June, though they’ve been renting a place in Cincinnati for his son’s needs. His home location plays a crucial role in his work schedule. As one of the most respected voices in sports, he splits his time between ESPN and Thursday Night Football coverage for Amazon Prime.

Who is Kirk Herbstreit?

Kirk Edward Herbstreit, born August 19, 1969, has emerged as one of the most familiar voices in sports broadcasting. His path from athlete to broadcasting icon tells us a lot about the man behind the microphone.

Early life and football career

Ohio runs deep in Herbstreit’s blood. He grew up in Centerville, a suburb of Dayton, where he shined as a multi-sport athlete. His talent as quarterback for Centerville High School’s Elks earned him Ohio’s Gatorade Player of the Year award during his senior year. He excelled not just in football but also dominated basketball and baseball. His .505 batting average during junior year still ranks fifth in school history.

Sports became his anchor through tough times. His parents divorced when he was eight, and he moved between Centerville, Franklin, Mason, and Wyoming. “Sports became my way of coping with my parents’ divorce,” he shared. “It was my escape from the pain of our family’s disintegration”.

Ohio State welcomed Herbstreit as their first recruit after John Cooper became head coach in 1988. He played quarterback from 1989 to 1993, earning four letters. After waiting his turn behind other quarterbacks, he led the team as co-captain in his senior year of 1992 and his teammates voted him MVP. That year, he threw for 1,904 yards and had four games where he passed for more than 200 yards. He set an Ohio State record with 28 pass completions against Michigan in their rivalry game.

Transition to broadcasting

Life presented Herbstreit with a crucial choice after his 1993 graduation with a business administration degree. He could have taken a pharmaceutical sales job paying $85,000 yearly but chose to follow his heart into sports talk radio for just $12,000 annually.

ESPN brought him on as a college football sideline analyst in September 1995. This role kicked off his broadcasting career. The next year, he joined College GameDay as lead analyst, a position that would define his career. His thorough preparation and deep knowledge set him apart from others who focused only on the week’s featured teams.

His role has grown into something bigger over the years. Today, he serves as:

• Lead analyst for ESPN’s College GameDay with host Rece Davis and fellow analysts Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, and Nick Saban
• Lead game analyst for ESPN and ABC’s Saturday Night Football alongside Chris Fowler
• Color commentator for Thursday night NFL games on Amazon Prime Video

Family background and values

Family stands at the core of Herbstreit’s world. His father Jim’s influence shaped both his life and career choices. Jim and Kirk share a special place in Ohio State’s history as one of only two father-son pairs who both served as team captains – Jim in 1960 and Kirk in 1992. Jim later coached under the legendary Woody Hayes at Ohio State.

Love bloomed at Ohio State where Kirk met Alison, a cheerleader. They tied the knot in 1998 and raised four sons. His family’s needs guide his career decisions – he even split time between Tennessee and Cincinnati to support his son’s high school football career. The football tradition continues as all four sons played college football, creating a three-generation legacy.

Faith guides Herbstreit’s daily life. He puts it simply: “Everything. I try to every day walk that path”. As a dad, he makes sure to stay connected with his sons. “If one of my kids says ‘Hey Dad,’ I’m like, ‘What?’ It’s so on my mind to try to be present”.

Where Does Kirk Herbstreit Live Now?

ESPN’s college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit splits his time between two states to balance his family’s needs with his busy broadcast schedule.

Primary residence in Franklin, Tennessee

Kirk Herbstreit’s main home sits on a magnificent estate in Franklin, Tennessee, just 40 minutes south of Nashville. The Herbstreit family moved here from Ohio in 2011, and this property has been their home base for over a decade. Their luxurious home covers 11,000 square feet with an estimated value of $6.10 million.

The 2007-built Franklin estate has six bedrooms and 8.5 bathrooms, giving plenty of room to Kirk, his wife Allison, and their four sons. Their home’s luxury features show the family’s success. You’ll find a stunning three-storey curved staircase, an elevator, a home gym, and a state-of-the-art home theater.

The property’s exterior matches its interior grandeur. A long driveway leads to a welcoming front porch that creates a warm atmosphere. The outdoor space comes with a pool and an outdoor dining area. Nashville’s mild weather lets the family enjoy these outdoor features throughout the year.

Temporary stay in Cincinnati for son’s football

The Herbstreits recently added another home to support their son’s athletic career. They kept their Franklin estate but rented a house near Cincinnati. This move helped their youngest son, Chase, who plays quarterback for St. Xavier High School as a freshman.

They never let go of their Nashville home. The Cincinnati rental was meant to help their son’s athletic development. Kirk made this clear when he said, “Our goal was to go back to our home in Nashville. We’re going to go back on June 1st, and we’re excited about that”.

Why he splits time between two cities

The family’s steadfast dedication to both family priorities and work responsibilities led them to keep homes in Tennessee and Ohio. This setup lets them watch Chase’s football games while staying connected to their other sons’ activities.

Living in two places puts them just 90 minutes from Ohio State’s campus. Their son Jake studies there, while Zak joined the OSU football team as a preferred walk-on tight end. The arrangement also makes trips easier to Clemson University, where Jake’s twin Tye plays receiver.

Kirk moved to Tennessee in 2011 to escape the intense criticism from Ohio State fans about his objective team coverage. Nashville gave his family more privacy away from Columbus’s pressures. He explained, “I moved here in ’11… we decided, as much as we loved Ohio, we were going to… move to get out of the beaten path a little bit”.

The Herbstreit family shows how to juggle “two home bases, four sons’ schedules and Herbstreit’s own very busy career”. Their story proves that successful professionals sometimes need creative living arrangements to coordinate career demands with family life.

Inside Kirk Herbstreit’s Tennessee Home

Kirk Herbstreit’s Franklin estate shows how luxury and functionality can work together. The ESPN analyst’s Tennessee home stands as evidence of upscale Southern living in one of Nashville’s most sought-after suburbs.

Exterior design and curb appeal

The stately mansion catches your eye with its elegant brick façade and well-kept grounds. A long driveway guides guests to the front entrance, where a roomy porch creates a warm welcome that fits right in with traditional Southern architecture. The home’s exterior mixes classic design with modern elements, showing the broadcaster’s love for timeless style over passing trends.

Interior layout and luxury features

A stunning three-story curved staircase greets visitors as they step inside Herbstreit’s home. This grand feature shows the level of detail found throughout the six-bedroom, 8.5-bathroom space. The 11,000-square-foot interior showcases high ceilings, custom millwork, and premium finishes.

The kitchen comes equipped with professional-grade appliances, custom cabinets, and large countertops—perfect for his family of six. The formal dining and living spaces make great spots to host fellow broadcasting colleagues.

Outdoor amenities and entertainment spaces

The backyard feels like a resort with its swimming pool and well-planned outdoor dining area. These features let the Herbstreit family enjoy Tennessee’s nice weather all year round. Their dogs have plenty of room to run around the landscaped grounds—something that matters a lot to this pet-loving family.

Home gym and theater setup

As someone who studies athletic performance, Herbstreit’s private gym has professional-quality equipment to keep up with his fitness routine. The state-of-the-art home theater creates the perfect spot to review game footage and enjoy family movies, with top-notch audio-visual systems and cozy seating.

Smart home technology

The property uses advanced smart home systems to control lights, temperature, security, and entertainment. This tech helps the busy broadcaster manage his home from anywhere—essential given his packed schedule covering college football nationwide and NFL Thursday night games for Amazon Prime.

The Franklin estate means more than just a fancy house. It shows how Herbstreit and his family built new roots in Tennessee, finding the privacy and lifestyle they wanted after moving from Columbus.

Why He Moved from Ohio to Tennessee

Kirk Herbstreit’s life changed when he moved from Ohio to Tennessee in 2011. The former Buckeyes quarterback left his home state after decades. This move ended up helping both his family and his broadcasting career.

Fan backlash and media pressure

A vocal minority of Ohio State fans drove Herbstreit away from Ohio. These fans kept questioning his objectivity as a broadcaster. His deep connections to the university didn’t matter – some fans made life difficult for him and his family.

“Nobody loves Ohio State more than me,” Herbstreit explained at the time. “But I’ve got a job to do, and I’m going to continue to be fair and objective. To continue to have to defend myself and my family in regards to my love and devotion to Ohio State is unfair”.

Most Buckeyes fans supported him, but Herbstreit estimated “5 to 10 percent of the fan base” caused real problems. Critics showed “relentless” hostility toward his commentary. His breaking point came: “I don’t like moving. I love living here. I don’t want to leave. But I just can’t do this anymore”.

Family privacy and lifestyle

Herbstreit’s wife and four sons’ wellbeing became a vital factor in leaving Ohio. Nashville gave them privacy away from Columbus’s intense spotlight.

“There were a few isolated incidents where we just thought about things and family and their safety and decided it was probably in the best interest of our family to move,” Herbstreit noted. The family thought over this change for “three to four years” before making their move.

The Herbstreits looked at Texas too, showing how much they wanted the right place for their family. “Ohio will always be my home,” he assured, keeping his roots while building new ones in Tennessee.

Tax and travel advantages

Moving to Tennessee made financial sense. The state doesn’t charge personal income tax – a big upgrade from Ohio’s tax system. Tennessee residents skip state income tax returns and don’t pay state taxes on investments or Social Security.

Nashville’s location worked perfectly for Herbstreit’s busy travel schedule. The city’s growing sports media scene created the right professional environment. He could easily reach major college football venues during the season.

The 2011 move came at the perfect time. Herbstreit kept his successful ESPN career while creating a more private and tax-friendly home for his family.

How the Home Reflects His Lifestyle

Kirk Herbstreit’s Tennessee home reflects what matters most in his life. The property serves as more than just a house – it’s the perfect setting that fits his family’s unique way of living.

Raising four sons in a family-friendly space

The property gives Herbstreit’s four sons plenty of room to grow and play, complete with an outdoor basketball court. His growing children – twins Jake and Tye, son Zak, and youngest Chase – each have their own space in the six-bedroom home. The family comes together in their home theater to watch movies or cheer for Buckeyes games.

Love for dogs and outdoor living

The home’s design shows Herbstreit’s love for his pets with a special doggie shower built into one of the two heated garages. His golden retrievers—Peter, Theo, Mitch and Beau—have endless space to run and play. Nashville’s mild weather lets the family enjoy their pool and outdoor dining areas throughout the year.

Balancing work and home life

The home’s design helps with Herbstreit’s busy schedule. He thinks ahead about his career, saying “I’m already thinking about what I want to do after my five years?”. Smart home features and multiple furnaces keep the house comfortable whether he prepares for Thursday Night Football or Saturday broadcasts.

Faith and personal interests

Herbstreit puts his Christian faith at the center of his family life. When asked about faith’s importance, he simply said, “Everything”. His weekly Bible study group helps him stay “more balanced”. The home gym shows his steadfast dedication to fitness, among other interests like EA Sports games and horse racing.

Kirk Herbstreit’s trip from Ohio State quarterback to renowned sports commentator shows his skill at balancing professional excellence with family priorities. He made careful choices about where to put down roots and ended up choosing his stunning Franklin estate. This 11,000 square-foot Tennessee property means much more than an impressive real estate investment – it represents his life philosophy.

His major decisions revolve around his family’s needs. He keeps homes in both Tennessee and Cincinnati, which shows his dedication to supporting his sons’ athletic pursuits while handling his demanding broadcast schedule. Herbstreit has built a lifestyle that fits both his ESPN duties and Thursday Night Football coverage for Amazon Prime, despite the complex logistics.

Fan criticism partly drove him away from Ohio, but he turned this challenge into a chance for his family to flourish in a more private setting. His Franklin property offers luxury amenities and thoughtful design – the perfect setting to raise four sons while keeping his high-profile career. The home gym, theater, and outdoor recreational spaces showcase his balanced approach to work and family life.

The Herbstreits stayed temporarily in Cincinnati but plan to return to their Nashville home soon. This choice brings their trip back to where it started. Their Tennessee residence stands as proof that life’s challenges can guide you to the perfect place to call home.

Here are some FAQs about where does Kirk Herbstreit live:

Does Kirk Herbstreit live in Nashville or Ohio?

Kirk Herbstreit currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee, having moved there from Ohio several years ago. This answers the common question of where does kirk herbstreit live now, as his primary residence is no longer in his home state.

Why did Herbstreit move to Tennessee?

Kirk Herbstreit moved to Tennessee to be closer to his work commitments with ESPN and the SEC Network, which are based in the region. The move also provided a more central location for his broadcasting career compared to where does kirk herbstreit live in cincinnati previously.

Does Herbstreit have a wife?

Yes, Kirk Herbstreit is married to his wife, Allison Butler, whom he wed in 1998. The couple has four children together and maintains their family life in Nashville, which is where does kirk herbstreit live currently.

How close are Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit?

Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit have developed a close professional relationship and friendship through their many years working together on College GameDay. Their chemistry on screen reflects their genuine bond, regardless of where does kirk herbstreit live now compared to his colleague.

Why did Chris Fowler leave GameDay?

Chris Fowler left the College GameDay desk to focus on his primary role as ESPN’s lead college football play-by-play announcer. This career move was unrelated to Kirk Herbstreit’s own relocation, which addressed where does kirk herbstreit live for his broadcasting needs.

Does Kirk Herbstreit own horses?

There is no public information suggesting that Kirk Herbstreit owns horses at his current residence. This question about potential hobbies is separate from inquiries about where does kirk herbstreit live in cincinnati or his current Nashville home.

How much does Herbstreit get paid?

While his exact salary isn’t publicly disclosed, industry estimates suggest Kirk Herbstreit earns several million dollars annually from his ESPN contracts. This substantial income supports his lifestyle regardless of where does kirk herbstreit live now.

Why does Kirk Herbstreit bring his dog everywhere?

Kirk Herbstreit frequently brings his dog, a golden retriever named Ben, to work and events because the animal provides comfort and has become something of a mascot. This habit continues regardless of where does kirk herbstreit live between Nashville and his travel commitments.

Why did Kirk Herbstreit have to move out of Ohio?

Kirk Herbstreit didn’t have to move out of Ohio but chose to relocate to Tennessee for professional reasons related to his broadcasting career. This decision changed the answer to where does kirk herbstreit live from Ohio to his current Nashville home.