ESPN-on-ESPN Crime or ‘Theater’? Stephen A. Smith and Kirk Herbstreit Snipe Over Ryan Day

The face of ESPN’s biggest show and the voices of one of its biggest properties had an unusually public war of words continue Monday.

Ahead of Ohio State’s College Football Playoff game against Tennessee, Stephen A. Smith said Ryan Day should be fired if the Buckeyes lose to the Volunteers. Smith cited the coach’s record against Michigan, the number of NFL-caliber players who stayed, the program’s $20 million roster push this year, and the school’s incredibly high standards.

“If this man gets bounced out of here this weekend … he got to go!” Smith said.

On Saturday, the Buckeyes trounced the Vols 42–17. Toward the end of the broadcast, Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit discussed calls for Day’s job. That’s when they took jabs at Smith.

“When you hear pundits on this network and other places talk about that with certainty, it’s nonsense, frankly,” Fowler said. “The public doesn’t pull the trigger and get rid of the coach. The administrators do, and they’re behind them.”

“First Take tried to fire him; they thought he was done. So I’ll be excited to see what they talk about on Monday after this performance,” Herbstreit replied. “They had him out; they’re trying to find replacements. But here he is! He’s still got his hat on; he’s still coaching.”

When Monday rolled around, Smith had plenty to say, and not just about Day. He said it’s “an honor and a privilege” to call Fowler and Herbstreit his colleagues, then ripped into them for their comments.

“Chris Fowler, you know, ‘it’s ridiculous,’ no it’s not. Kirk Herbstreit, First Take gotta get him fired,’ that is not true. I did. Not First Take. That was me, Stephen. A. I’m gonna own that,” Smith said. “And what did I say specifically, Kirk Herbstreit, because you’ve gotta quote me accurately, my brother. I watch you on College Football GameDay. I don’t misquote you; don’t misquote me.”

Smith reiterated Day should be fired if he doesn’t win a national title this year. He also alluded to Herbstreit’s years as a quarterback at Ohio State, saying his colleague knows how important it is to beat Michigan. He wrapped up his comments to the broadcast pair saying, “Mr. Fowler, Mr. Herbstreit, love you guys,” and made one more plea for them to “quote me accurately.”

If that wasn’t enough, Shannon Sharpe came to Smith’s side on First Take.

“If we’re going to be on the same team, if we’re gonna work for the same network, don’t do that,” Sharpe said. “Kirk, Chris Fowler, I promise you, if you ever mention any platform that I’m on again, and talking about, ‘I wonder what they’re going to say as negativity,’ I promise you, ESPN ain’t got enough bosses to keep me off y’all for what I’m going to say.”

—Margaret Fleming

Second Take

It was fascinating to see the stars of two powerhouse ESPN properties—First Take and then College GameDay—take potshots at each other. But here’s why I think this is more posing than genuine beef between Smith and Herbstreit. 

First, the two on-air talents are about as untouchable as you can get in Bristol. Smith has turned First Take into the hottest show on morning TV. He savvily recruited Sharpe, just as the Hall of Famer’s media profile was exploding after the Katt Williams interview. Smith is poised to become ESPN’s first $100 million talent, while Herbstreit just led GameDay—bolstered by Nick Saban and Pat McAfee—to its most-watched season.

Herbstreit also helped ESPN win back NFL Draft coverage from an invading Fox, hosting a college-centric version on sister Disney network ABC.

Smith was diplomatic toward Herbstreit and Chris Fowler on Monday while standing firm in his belief that Ohio State coach Ryan Day should go if he doesn’t win a national championship. One source believes the strong words from the two are more “theater” than anything else. 

Whatever else he is, Smith is a smart showman. If you look at his words Monday, rather than the tone of his voice, it was just another day in the office for a guy who I believe just out-debated Sean Hannity.

The wild card here is Sharpe. He was far more pointed and blunt as he loyally stood up for Smith. He’s Smith’s possible successor on First Take, so he’s protective of the brand. But Sharpe can be a hothead. Less than two years ago, he nearly got into a brawl with Dillon Brooks and other Grizzlies during a Lakers game. After restraining himself from the urge to throttle former partner Skip Bayless on the air, he’s not taking any crap from anybody anymore. As Sharpe warned Herbstreit and Fowler: “Don’t play with me.” 

Will Herbie listen? Or is another volley on the way?

—Michael McCarthy