Interviewed by Gilbert M. Gaul for Gaul's 2015 book "Billion-Dollar Ball: A Journey Through the Big-Money Culture of College Football", Kirwan said: "...the obsession with football is very corrupting to higher education." Reflecting on his presidency of Ohio State, Kirwan added: "The culture of football allegiance and reverence was disturbing. But nonetheless, because of it they can raise any amount of money they need to raise." However, Kirwan conceded "there is very little than presidents can do" because of what he called the "irresistible force" of college athletics.