{"id":13281,"date":"2025-04-17T22:01:06","date_gmt":"2025-04-18T02:01:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/miami\/?p=13281"},"modified":"2025-04-17T22:01:06","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T02:01:06","slug":"lee-corso-to-retire-from-college-gameday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/miami\/2025\/04\/17\/lee-corso-to-retire-from-college-gameday\/","title":{"rendered":"Lee Corso to Retire from ‘College Gameday’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction to a Legendary Broadcaster<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s the end of an era for early Saturday morning college football programming as iconic broadcaster Lee Corso is set to retire from ESPN\u2019s College Gameday following the show\u2019s Week 1 broadcast on August 30.<\/p>\n

A Career Spanning Decades<\/h2>\n

Corso was a former head football coach at Louisville, Indiana, and Northern Illinois before joining the network in 1987 and has been a part of Gameday since the show started traveling campus-to-campus in 1993. \u201cMy family and I will be forever indebted for the opportunity to be part of ESPN and College Gameday for nearly 40 years,\u201d the 89-year-old said in a statement released by ESPN. \u201cI have a treasure of many friends, fond memories, and some unusual experiences to take with me into retirement.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Mascot Headgear Tradition<\/h2>\n

In 1996, Corso started something that had a lasting impact not only on the show but on college football as a whole: wearing oversized mascot headgear during live broadcasts. Ahead of that season\u2019s Ohio State-Penn State game, Corso put on the Buckeyes mascot Brutus\u2019 headgear, and the rest was history. Since then, Corso has dressed up as Notre Dame\u2019s Fighting Irish Leprechaun, the Stanford Tree, and even rode a motorcycle with the Oregon Duck, among many others that brought smiles to not only the faces of fans but also his colleagues.<\/p>\n

Predictions and Catchphrases<\/h2>\n

Corso would don the comically large headpiece while making game predictions, holding a Ticonderoga No. 2 pencil in hand and uttering his famous catchphrase, \u201cNot so fast, my friend.\u201d This famed tradition has been a staple on ESPN\u2019s college football coverage for almost four decades. Corso has made 430 mascot headgear selections all-time, compiling a 286-144 record. He has thrown on Brutus\u2019 head the most at 45 times with Alabama\u2019s Big Al\u2019s head coming in second with 38 picks.<\/p>\n

Tributes from Colleagues<\/h2>\n

\u201cIt has been among the greatest joys and privileges of my life to work with, laugh with, and learn from Lee Corso for more than 35 incredible years,\u201d said Chris Fowler, who hosted College GameDay and worked side-by-side with Corso from 1990-2014. \u201cHis courage and resilience have inspired millions. Through his groundbreaking work on College GameDay, Lee has been an indelible force in the growth of college football\u2019s popularity. He\u2019s a born entertainer and singular television talent. But at his heart, he\u2019ll always be a coach, with an abiding love and respect for the game and the people who play it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Final Show<\/h2>\n

The location for the final show has yet to be announced, but Week 1 has marquee matchups including Texas at Ohio State and Alabama traveling to Corso\u2019s alma mater, Florida State. \u201cESPN has been exceptionally generous to me, especially these past few years,\u201d Corso added in Thursday\u2019s statement. \u201cThey accommodated me and supported me, as did my colleagues in the early days of College GameDay. Special thanks to Kirk Herbstreit for his friendship and encouragement.<\/p>\n

A Lasting Legacy<\/h2>\n

Herbstreit has sat alongside Corso since 1996 and said in ESPN\u2019s statement: \u201cCoach Corso has had an iconic run in broadcasting, and we\u2019re all lucky to have been around to witness it. He has taught me so much throughout our time together, and he\u2019s 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.\u201d Corso, who will turn 90 ahead of the final show, played college football with the Seminoles in the 1950s and held the school record for interceptions for two decades.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

Lee Corso\u2019s retirement marks the end of an era for college football fans. His contributions to ESPN\u2019s College Gameday have been invaluable, and his legacy will continue to inspire and entertain fans for generations to come. As Corso finishes off his statement with a nod to the viewers who tuned in to watch him all these years: \u201cAnd lest I forget, the fans\u2026 truly a blessing to share this with them. ESPN gave me this wonderful opportunity and provided me the support to ensure success. I am genuinely grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n