ESPN revealed its commentary teams for the 2026 college football season on Tuesday.
The network's leading team will welcome a new member. Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will keep calling primetime games on ESPN and ABC alongside sideline reporter Holly Rowe, but Steve Shaw will join the decorated trio as a rules analyst. Shaw officiated two BCS National Championship Games during his 22 years as a referee.
Many other crews will look different this fall. Katie George will work as a sideline reporter with the returning duo of Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy. George swaps places with Molly McGrath, who is moving to an NFL role.
Another top team will welcome a new sideline reporter. Kris Budden joins Joe Tessitore and Jesse Palmer, who are calling games together for the fourth straight season.
Tom Hart moves from SEC Network primetime games to call play-by-play next to Roddy Jones following Mark Jones' departure. Jones had spent 36 years at ESPN before leaving earlier this year.
ESPN's college football coverage suffered another loss when Dave Flemming exited the company. Roy Philpott will now partner with former quarterback Brock Osweiler and sideline reporter Sherree Burruss.
More changes to ESPN crews
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ESPN unveiled several other new commentary teams on Tuesday. Stormy Buonantony will join play-by-play announcer Bob Wischusen and longtime analyst Louis Riddick.
"New CFB crew for 2026! Could not be more excited to team up with Bob Wischusen & Louis Riddick this season," Buonantony wrote on Instagram.
ESPN also confirmed that Jordan Rodgers will now work alongside Mike Monaco and Dana Boyle on Friday nights. Meanwhile, Matt Barrie, Chase Daniel, and Paul Carcaterra are calling Thursday's primetime games.
ESPN also welcomed three new sideline reporters to the college football team.
Madison Fitzpatrick will work ACC Network Primetime Football games with Wes Durham and Max Browne. Madison Hock forms a new ACC Network crew with Roxy Bernstein and Dave Clawson, and Michella Chester joins Roxy Bernstein and Dave Clawson.
"So excited to join @ESPNCFB for the 2026 season!" Fitzpatrick wrote. "Honored to be part of the ACC Primetime crew alongside @WesDurham and @MaxBrowne4. Can't wait to get started!"
"This fall as a college football sideline reporter!" Hock said. "I've truly worked my entire career for this opportunity and I can't wait to get started!"
