Lee Corso is hangin’ em up after nearly 40 years on ESPN‘s College GameDay. The veteran NCAA football analyst turns 90 in August and will call it a career after one more show a few weeks later.
Corso’s final broadcast will be August 30. ESPN said it is planning special programming to honor him in the leadup to that weekend.
“My family and I will be forever indebted for the opportunity to be part of ESPN and College GameDay for nearly 40 years,” he said in a statement released by ESPN. “I have a treasure of many friends, fond memories and some unusual experiences to take with me into retirement.”
Known for his headgear segment, in which he picked game winners by sporting the school’s helmet, mascot heads or such, Corso has been with the Worldwide Leader since ending his 28-year pro and college coaching career in 1987. He also played for the Florida State Seminoles and was roommates with its burgeoning star running back, Burt Reynolds. Here’s a collection of Corso’s headgear bits:
“Lee Corso has developed a special connection to generations of fans through his entertaining style and iconic headgear picks,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said. “Lee is one of the most influential and beloved figures in the history of college football and our ESPN team will celebrate his legendary career during his final College GameDay appearance this August.”
Corso had a limited ESPN schedule during the 2024-25 season but was at the championship game. He had a stroke in 2009 that left him unable to speak for a time, but he rejoined College GameDay later that season. He has been with the show since it began its signature road trips to different campuses in 1993.
Kirk Herbstreit, who has worked alongside Corso on the show since 1996, said in a statement: “Coach Corso has had an iconic run in broadcasting, and we’re all lucky to have been around to witness it. He has taught me so much throughout our time together, and he’s been like a second father to me. It has been my absolute honor to have the best seat in the house to watch Coach put on that mascot head each week.”
