All About Justin Herbert's Parents, Washington State Alum Holly and Biology Teacher Mark Herbert

Mar. 15, 2025

Justin Herbert’s parents and brothers.Photo:Patrick Herbert/Instagram

Patrick Herbert/Instagram

Justin Herbert’s parents, Holly and Mark Herbert, are never too far away when their son needs them.

The couple’s home is onlya 10-minute drive— and 23-minute walk — from Autzen Stadium, where Justin starred as the quarterback at the University of Oregon.

Now that he is the starting quarterback of the Los Angeles Chargers, after being drafted sixth overall in 2020, Justin’s parents are still there when he needs them. The family makes frequent trips to L.A. to support him at games and still gathers at their Eugene, Ore., home multiple times a year.

Mark, who coached Justin on his youth team, is thrilled that his son landed one of the most coveted positions in sports. “It’s one of 32 of the best jobs in the world," he toldESPNin 2020. “He’s in the best place on the West Coast, we can go see him. He has a bright future.”

From their athletic roots to raising three boys, here’s everything to know about Justin Herbert’s parents, Holly and Mark Herbert.

His dad was a college athlete

Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks warms up before the NCAAF game against the Arizona State Sun Devils.Christian Petersen/Getty

Christian Petersen/Getty

Justin first gained national attention as the quarterback for the University of Oregon. But he was not the first in his family to star for the Ducks. His grandfather, Rich Schwab, was a beloved receiver for Oregon from 1960 to 1963.

Justin’s father, Mark, was a football and track athlete at the University of Montana. Mark’s dad, Roger Herbert, was also a sprinter at Oregon State University and later became the longtime track coach at Sheldon High School. Both Mark and Roger taught high school biology.

His mother, Holly, attended Washington State University and did not participate in any collegiate athletics.

They have three sons

Justin Herbert’s family.Patrick Herbert/Instagram

In addition to Justin, the couple have two other sons.

Holly and Mark welcomed Mark Mitchell Herbert first on April 21, 1996. Mitchell was a member of the National Honor Society and played football at Montana State University. Hegraduated with a medical degreefrom Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons in 2024 and nowworks in orthopedic surgeryat UCLA.

After welcoming Justin on March 10, 1998, Holly and Mark had their youngest son, Patrick, on Oct. 18, 2000. He is a sociology major at the University of Oregon and a tight end on the football team.

“It’s a team I’ve rooted for my entire life,” Patrick toldEugene Magazinein 2024 about his decision to follow in his family’s footsteps. “I grew up here in Eugene and always loved the Ducks, so to play for this program is a very special deal, just as it was for the rest of my family.”

They wrote Justin a sweet letter when he was drafted

“As you begin this next chapter, a chapter you have dreamed about and worked hard for, we just want you to know how very proud we are of you,” the letter read. “Justin, you are living your dream, not out of luck, but hard work, commitment and determination.”

“You got this, and if you ever need anything: we got you!” they wrote.

Justin wants to buy his father a special gift

Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers warms up prior to the game against the San Francisco 49ers.Thearon W. Henderson/Getty

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty

In 2023, Justin signed a five-year, $262.5-million deal that, at the time, made him the league’s highest-paid player in average annual salary. Mark toldYahoo Sportsthat his family’s life had not changed much, despite the impressive payday. He said that he still works, walks the dog and drives his 2004 Ford pickup “all the way down to the paint falling off.”

But Justin had one major purchase in mind when he appeared onThePat McAfee Showin 2023.

“I’m thinking maybe put a field goal post in my backyard for my dad, so he doesn’t have to tape it up anymore,” he said, smiling.

Mark loves to motivate his kids

Mark grew up playing and excelling at sports, but he wasn’t always proud of his efforts. The former all-state wide receiver hoped to replicate his high school football success at the University of Montana and dabble in track. But after barely passing his physical, Mark was injured and quit the football team ahead of the second season. He turned his attention to the track, competing in hurdles, long jump and triple jump.

Looking back, the father of three admitted that he didn’t “appreciate the opportunity” to play football as much as he should have.

“What I kept telling my kids is college football’s a lot harder than people realize,” he explained to406 MT SPORTSin 2019. “They think it’s glamorous. High school kids think it’s easy and think ‘Because I was the star in high school, I’ll be the star in college.’ It doesn’t work that way. I found that out.”

The experience left Mark reluctant to share about his time in Montana with his children, but he eventually realized there was a lesson to be learned.

“For me, it was uncomfortable and it was difficult because I was the most classic underachiever, unfulfilled potential person you could ever imagine,” he added. “I told them [my sons] that I had screwed up and I had some ability and I didn’t use my time very wisely and I didn’t use some of the opportunities that I had. I wanted to make sure that they did the opposite of what I did.”

Holly’s dad was a role model for Justin

Justin Herbert and one of his brothers.Patrick Herbert/Instagram

According to Holly, her father “lived and breathed Oregon football.” He was so devoted that he attended the team’s 2009 Rose Bowl game not long after heart valve replacement surgery. Schwab was also a well-loved figure in the community.

source: people.com