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Kirk Herbstreit could add Monday Night Football to college football duties

ByJoseph Birdsall|
AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 21: ESPN commentator Kirk Herbstreit walks on the field before the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 21: ESPN commentator Kirk Herbstreit walks on the field before the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Kirk Herbstreit is “gaining momentum” as a candidate to join the Monday Night Football booth.

Longtime ESPN college football commentator Kirk Herbstreit is emerging as a candidate to join the new Monday Night Football booth, per Andrew Marchand of the New York Post.

While uncertainty abounds regarding the upcoming NCAA and NFL seasons, it appears that Herbstreit is a leading option in any case. Marchand reported that Herbstreit would remain in the college football booth in addition to Monday Night Football duties, but would likely join the Monday night booth in the absence of an NCAA season.

While NCAA partner Chris Fowler is reportedly unlikely to work both gigs, Herbstreit appears up to the task. After the failed Joe Tessitore-Booger McFarland experiment, he could be the perfect choice to bring stability back to the ESPN booth.

Marchand reported that Herbstreit to Monday Night Football is “not a done deal,” with Brian Griese, Louis Riddick, and Dan Orlovsky also candidates for the color commentator spot. As far as the play-by-play position goes, Steve Levy appears to be a frontrunner.

Although Herbstreit is an intriguing candidate, it may be unlikely that he joins Monday Night Football in the event that the NCAA season still takes place. Committing to both leagues means double the research prior to game days and plenty of extra travel, and ESPN may be better served with someone like Riddick, who can dedicate all his time to Monday Night Football.

However, Herbstreit may be the most intriguing name to watch in the selection process. While working Saturdays and Mondays could be cumbersome, he has more experience in the booth than the other candidates. A Levy-Herbstreit booth could quickly put the derided Tessitore-McFarland duo in the rearview.

It still appears to be early in the process, and ESPN will likely wait for a decision on the NFL and NCAA seasons before finalizing the Monday Night Football team, but Herbstreit could be the best option if able to work two jobs.

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