Chase Herbstreit to Michigan: Bold Move or Buckeye Betrayal?
College football is built on tradition, loyalty, and deep-seated rivalries. Few rivalries are as intense as Ohio State vs. Michigan, making Chase Herbstreit’s decision to join the Wolverines a near-unthinkable move for Buckeyes fans.
Kirk Herbstreit, a former Ohio State captain and longtime college football analyst, has been synonymous with the Buckeye program for decades. His father, Jim Herbstreit, captained Ohio State in 1960, and Kirk followed in his footsteps. Even his son, Zak, was part of the Buckeyes’ 2023 national championship-winning roster. But now, that multi-generational connection has been shaken—Chase Herbstreit is headed to Ann Arbor.
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The Story Behind the Shocking Move
Kirk Herbstreit recently opened up about how Chase’s Michigan decision unfolded on the “Built 4 More” podcast, hosted by Denny Thompson, who also serves as Chase’s personal QB coach.
According to Kirk, Chase was initially a fringe recruit looking at preferred walk-on (PWO) offers from programs like North Carolina, NC State, Penn State, Michigan, and Notre Dame. While these offers were on the table, nothing concrete had materialized.
Then came a defining moment. While Kirk was covering the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta, he received an unexpected text from Michigan’s Director of Player Personnel.
> “He says, ‘Can you give me a call?’ So I call him real quick. No idea what’s up. He’s like, ‘Hey, are you with Chase? I need to talk to him. We’d like to send him his [scholarship] paperwork, and the window closes at midnight.’”
Chase was right there, so Kirk handed him the phone. Minutes later, Chase had made his decision—he signed with Michigan.
Kirk was stunned.
> “I was like, ‘Holy… What? What!’”
Even Nick Saban, who was present during this moment, was caught off guard. Saban’s reaction?
> “He walks over to Chase real slow… puts his hand out, and says, ‘Congratulations, boy,’ and gives him a hug.”
A Father’s Dilemma: Support or Betrayal?
For Kirk Herbstreit, supporting his son’s dream took precedence over Ohio State loyalty. That didn’t stop Buckeye Nation from reacting with outrage. Many see this as a betrayal of everything the Herbstreit name has represented at Ohio State. Others admire Kirk for putting family above fan loyalty.
Kirk himself acknowledged the surreal nature of the moment, but he made peace with it quickly:
> “It all moved so fast.”
What’s Next for Chase Herbstreit?
While Chase will have to earn his way at Michigan, his decision will always be judged through the lens of the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry. If he excels, Buckeye fans will never let Kirk forget it. If he struggles, Wolverines fans may never fully embrace him.
Your Take: Bold Move or Ultimate Betrayal?
Did Chase make the right decision, or has he forever tainted his family’s Buckeye legacy? Let’s hear your thoughts.