For almost four decades, Lee Corso turned “College GameDay” into must-watch television. Now, as he prepares to retire, colleagues share the stories that made him unforgettable.
Saturdays in the fall have their rituals. Tailgates fire up at dawn, bands march through campus, and fans pour into stadiums with hope in their hearts. But before any kickoff, one tradition has defined the sport for nearly four decades: Lee Corso’s headgear pick.
At 90 years old, Corso is stepping away after 38 seasons on ESPN’s College GameDay.His final show will air August 30 from Columbus, Ohio, ahead of Texas vs. Ohio State. It will close the book on a career that made him one of the most beloved figures in sports television. The Athletic took a look back at Corso’s amazing run with “College GameDay” and ESPN.
The Headgear That Became History
Kirk Herbstreit still remembers sitting next to Corso in 1996 when “Coach” first pulled on a Brutus Buckeye head. “I just remember watching him and thinking how silly it looked,” Herbstreit said. “I figured it was a one-and-done.”
Instead, it became college football’s most anticipated moment. From Oregon’s Duck to Alabama’s Big Al, Corso has donned 430 mascot heads and built a 286-144 record in his picks. The crowd’s roar each time he raises that No. 2 pencil is proof of the magic he created.
Behind the Curtain of College Football’s Showman
To his colleagues, Corso was more than a TV personality, he was a creature of habit, a comedian, and, at times, pure chaos. Former GameDay researcher Chris “Bear” Fallica recalled Corso’s weekly calls: “Every Monday morning from 1996 until 2022, he left me the same voicemail with his list of notes and stats.”
He was also known for his snack-table raids. Herbstreit laughed about watching Corso shovel Mr. Goodbars and chips into his old leather satchel, stockpiling sodas for the night. “It wasn’t like taking one or two,” he said. “It was like a farmer at harvest.”
And then there were the wild moments only Corso could pull off. In 2011, during a broadcast in Houston, he shocked everyone with an on-air F-bomb. ESPN made him read an apology, but Corso couldn’t stop smiling through it. “He’s a national treasure,” said Tim Brando. “The man can say whatever he wants.”
More Than Just Entertainment
Colleagues often point to his mantra: “It’s entertainment, sweetheart. Football is just a vehicle.” From crowd surfing with Penn State fans to nearly riding an elephant on set, Corso always leaned into spectacle. Yet behind the antics was a deep love for the sport and its community.
“He’s the favorite uncle. Your grandfather. The guy you wanted to share your Saturday with,” said host Rece Davis. “That’s the beauty and magic of Lee Corso.”
As GameDay heads into a new era, the question lingers: what will Saturdays feel like without him? For many, they’ll never be the same. Herbstreit summed it up best: “At the end of the day, when you bring up Lee Corso and you’re starting to tell someone a story, everyone starts to smile. That’s what he did for all of us. He made us smile.”
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