The Associated Press

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — ESPN analyst and former Ohio State quarterback Kirk Herbstreit is taking a timeout on Twitter after receiving criticism from fans of his alma mater.

In an interview with WGFX 104.5 The Zone in his new hometown of Nashville on Thursday, Herbstreit said it was “asinine” he had to defend his allegiance to the Buckeyes. Herbstreit has questioned how coach Jim Tressel can keep his job amid allegations of lying to the NCAA.

“I just felt it wasn’t for me as I already have sufficient ways to communicate my thoughts on college football,” Herbstreit said in a statement through ESPN on Friday.

Herbstreit said in the radio interview he wouldn’t interact with fans through social media “for a while.” His Twitter account has been taken down.