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4 college football personalities ESPN should re-hire

ESPN has fallen on hard times lately, but here are four former college football personalities that could help the re-emerge.

ByPeter Bartell|
Feb 24, 2009; Columbus, OH, USA; ESPN reporter Erin Andrews talks on-air at the end of the game of Penn State Nittany Lions against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena. The Buckeyes beat the Nittany Lions 73-59. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2009; Columbus, OH, USA; ESPN reporter Erin Andrews talks on-air at the end of the game of Penn State Nittany Lions against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena. The Buckeyes beat the Nittany Lions 73-59. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports | Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN has been the center of attention lately for some recent firings and layoffs, but in reality it has been going on for years now. The sports media giant is looking not so gargantuan the past few years not only due to their staff restructuring decisions, but their overall product as well.

What was once a network known for morning SportsCenter before school or work with legendary voices like Stuart Scott, Rich Eisen and others has now become a series of shows many fans feel is just folks screaming at each other to get their point across.

In addition, yes, some of the recent staff changes have set social media ablaze as well. The two most recent staff changes included the firing of former Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Robert Griffin III, and NFL Sunday Morning Countdown Host, Samantha Ponder. Each as mentioned cause a stir on social media.

While it is unlikely due to the apparent downsizing of ESPN that any previously terminated personalities will return to the network, I find myself still wondering “what if” they were able to bring back some of them.

ESPN should re-hire these former analysts

4. Kaylee Hartung

Although Hartung left on her own accord, the former host of SEC Nation did a great job bringing the best out of analysts like Paul Finebaum, Marcus Spears and Tim Tebow on the weekly SEC pre-game show. The Baton Rouge native fit the culture of the SEC better than most reporters, and that came across in the way she dialogued.

3. Erin Andrews

It has definitely been awhile. Although long-time college football analysts Lee Corso, Desmond Howard and Kirk Herbstreit have been center stage on ESPN’s College GameDay , Andrews often times stole the show with her reporting and would be a great addition back.

2. David Pollack

The former Georgia Bulldog All-American linebacker was part of budget cuts at ESPN back in 2022 and presumably was replaced by Pat McAfee on the College GameDay set. With the SEC being one of the most popular conferences in college football, this did not sit well with many. Pollack’s knowledge of the game and ability to deliver eloquently to the audience was appreciated by those across the SEC and beyond.

1. Maria Taylor

Taylor was absolutely fantastic on the College GameDay set. Following Erin Andrews was her job, which was nearly impossible to do. Taylor did it flawlessly. Her positivity often exuded through the tv screen. And being a former athlete herself as a Georgia Bulldogs volleyball player, Taylor understood the challenges and what came with being a college athlete. She did an excellent job of conveying that through the screen whenever she was on air.

With all four still currently working in sports in some capacity, this shows that ESPN let go of some good talent. All companies change over time. Some are for the good and some for the bad. These are only four individuals that I feel strongly ESPN would have been better off with than without.

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