Legendary college football analyst Lee Corso, the heart and soul of ESPN’s College GameDay, has announced that he will retire following the Week 1 telecast of the upcoming season, marking the end of one of the most iconic runs in sports television history. After more than three decades of bringing joy, knowledge, and personality to Saturday mornings, Corso’s departure signals the close of an era that shaped how fans consume college football.
Corso, 89, made the announcement in a heartfelt message recorded with his longtime College GameDay family. With a twinkle in his eye and unmistakable charisma in his voice, Corso shared his decision with the nation the only way he could—gracefully, humorously, and with gratitude.
“For 36 years, I’ve had the honor of being a part of something truly special,” Corso said. “But now it’s time. Time for me to hang up the headgear, time for me to say goodbye, and time to enjoy the game I love from a different seat.”
It’s hard to imagine a College GameDay without Lee Corso. His signature catchphrase—“Not so fast, my friend!”—became a cultural phenomenon, as did his legendary headgear picks at the end of each show. For many fans, the sight of Corso donning the mascot head of his chosen team was the defining moment of every Saturday morning. Whether he picked the favored squad or went with the upset, the moment was pure theater—equal parts suspense, spectacle, and sentiment.
Corso joined College GameDay in 1987, just one year after ESPN launched the show as a modest studio production. Back then, it wasn’t the traveling spectacle it is today. It was just a trio of analysts breaking down the week’s matchups. Over time, the show evolved into a full-blown college football roadshow, drawing tens of thousands of fans to campuses across the country. And no one embodied that transition more than Corso. He didn’t just comment on the pageantry of college football—he became a central part of it.
A former college football coach himself, Corso brought a coach’s insight to his analysis, but what separated him from the rest was his ability to mix intellect with entertainment. While analysts have come and gone, Corso’s charm, wit, and deep love for the sport made him indispensable. He connected generations of fans—from those who remember his early coaching days to young viewers who know him only as the lovable, unpredictable guy in the mascot head.
Born in Cicero, Illinois, and raised in Florida, Corso played quarterback and cornerback for Florida State before beginning a coaching career that included head coaching stints at Louisville and Indiana. His passion for the game and genuine enthusiasm for student-athletes never waned, even as the game evolved into a billion-dollar industry. When he transitioned into broadcasting, Corso found his calling—not just as a football mind but as an entertainer.
Over the years, Corso endured significant health challenges. A stroke in 2009 nearly ended his broadcasting career, and though it affected his speech, he returned with the same indomitable spirit that made him beloved in the first place. His GameDay colleagues—most notably Kirk Herbstreit, Rece Davis, and Desmond Howard—rallied around him, often helping him through segments and treating him with a level of respect that mirrored how the fans felt watching from home.
The show’s producers made accommodations to ensure Corso could remain involved, including pre-recorded segments and more structured scripts. But he never lost his magic. If anything, the added vulnerability only enhanced his legend. Every moment became more precious, every laugh more meaningful.
In the last several years, speculation about Corso’s retirement swirled during each offseason, but he always returned, even if only for part-time appearances. Fans were thrilled each time he made it back on set, often greeted with roaring applause and chants of his name. But now, Corso says he knows the time is right.
“This is a celebration, not a farewell,” he said in the video announcement. “I’ve had the best seat in the house for 36 years. I’ve laughed, I’ve learned, and I’ve loved every moment.”
That seat—typically perched on the GameDay set with fans screaming behind him and signs waving in the background—will be empty after Week 1. But his legacy will echo in every chant, every debate, and every wild upset Saturday throws our way. The College GameDay crew has long described Corso as their “coach,” a moniker that fits perfectly. He’s mentored analysts, inspired producers, and entertained millions.
Kirk Herbstreit, Corso’s closest colleague on the show, struggled to hold back emotion in a tribute video posted by ESPN.
“He’s been more than just a co-worker or a friend—he’s been like family,” Herbstreit said. “There’s no College GameDay without Lee Corso. He’s the heartbeat of everything we’ve done.”
Rece Davis, the show’s host since 2015, echoed those sentiments.
“Coach is a national treasure. I’ve never met anyone who loves college football the way he does,” Davis said. “His energy, his unpredictability, his kindness—they’ve all made our show what it is. He’s irreplaceable.”
College GameDay will undoubtedly evolve in Corso’s absence. The show has always adapted, weathering the comings and goings of analysts and format changes. But for many, the magic of the show was intrinsically tied to Corso’s presence. The headgear pick wasn’t just a gimmick—it was an institution.
It wasn’t just the fans who loved Corso—it was the players, the coaches, and the mascots too. Who else could make a stadium erupt just by putting on a foam head? Corso turned that simple act into a crescendo of anticipation and jubilation. For the team he picked, it was a symbolic stamp of approval. For the team he didn’t, it was a challenge, a spark.
Across the college football world, tributes began pouring in after Corso’s announcement. Nick Saban, who has been featured on GameDay countless times, called Corso “one of the true voices of college football.”
“Coach Corso has done more to grow the game than most people realize,” Saban said. “His love for the sport, his ability to connect with fans—he’s one of a kind.”
Others, like former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, offered similar praise, thanking Corso for his contributions to the sport and his unwavering support for the players who make it special.
Corso’s final show will undoubtedly be a moment of celebration and reflection. ESPN is expected to roll out tributes, highlight reels, and perhaps even a few surprises. What’s certain is that it will be an emotional morning—not just for Corso, but for every fan who has grown up watching him, laughing with him, and learning from him.
As for who will take over the headgear duties moving forward, ESPN has not made an announcement. And truthfully, it doesn’t matter—because no one can replace Corso. Whoever continues the tradition will do so in tribute to the man who made it special.
Corso’s influence goes beyond the television screen. He’s been a champion of education, a philanthropist, and a mentor. He’s helped raise millions for charitable causes, spoken at universities across the country, and used his platform to uplift young athletes. And while the mascot heads and catchphrases will always be part of his legacy, his greatest contribution is the joy he brought to college football.
When Corso first put on that Brutus Buckeye head in 1996, it was a spontaneous moment. He was trying to entertain the crowd, to create a buzz. He never could’ve imagined it would become a weekly tradition and one of the most anticipated moments in sports television. But that’s who Lee Corso is—a natural showman, an innovator, a true original.
As he prepares to exit the stage, Corso does so with humility and appreciation.
“To the fans—thank you. You made every Saturday morning feel like Christmas. I’ll never forget the love you showed me,” Corso said. “This isn’t the end. It’s just the beginning of a new chapter. I’ll still be watching. And I’ll still be cheering.”
For millions of fans, the feeling is mutual. Lee Corso didn’t just talk about college football—he lived it. He brought the sport to life, made it fun, made it human. He was, and always will be, the soul of College GameDay.
As that final Week 1 show approaches, there will be signs in the crowd, heartfelt tributes, and surely some tears. But more than anything, there will be gratitude. Gratitude for the laughs, the memories, the mischief, and the magic.
Lee Corso gave college football a face, a voice, and a spirit. And while his seat on set may soon be empty, his legacy will forever be front and center.
Not so fast, Coach—thank you for everything.