Lee Corso is hanging up his headgear and ending a nearly four-decade broadcasting run with ESPN’s “College GameDay” in August, the network announced Thursday.
Corso, who turns 90 on Aug. 7, has been a host of the college football television staple since 1987. He will make his farewell appearance on Aug. 30.
“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.”
Corso is perhaps best known for his Saturday pregame headgear picks, donning the helmets or mascot “heads” of the team he predicts will win that day’s marquee matchup. According to ESPN, his picks are 286-144 since he began that segment in October 1996.
“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.”
Before joining ESPN, Corso was the head coach at Louisville (1969-72), Indiana (1973-82) and Northern Illinois (1984). He compiled a 73-85-6 record, highlighted by the Hoosiers’ win in the 1979 Holiday Bowl.
Corso was the head coach of the USFL’s Orlando Renegades during the 1985 season, finishing 5-13.
Corso, who suffered a stroke in 2009, had limited his travel in recent years.
“ESPN has been exceptionally generous to me, especially these past few years,” Corso said. “They 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. And lest I forget, the fans … 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.”
Herbstreit and Corso have shared the “College GameDay” set since 1996.
“Coach Corso has had an iconic run in broadcasting, and we’re all lucky to have been around to witness it,” Herbstreit said in a statement. “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.”
Chris Fowler, who hosted the show for 25 years, echoed Herbstreit’s sentiments.
“Lee has been an indelible force in the growth of college football’s popularity,” Fowler told ESPN. “He’s a born entertainer and singular television talent. But at his heart he’ll always be a coach, with an abiding love and respect for the game and the people who play it.”
–Field Level Media
