Longtime broadcaster Lee Corso is officially done at ESPN.
Corso, who began working with the network in 1987, will close that chapter of his life this August after spending close to four decades with The Worldwide Leader in Sports.
The 89-year-old is set to walk away from ‘College GameDay,’ where he has been a mainstay since the show debuted on the network, and has expressed gratitude in a heartfelt statement.
“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.
After 38 incredible years, Lee Corso is retiring ❤️
For multiple generations, Coach has been the face of our Saturday mornings and the sport we love.
Our friend, our coach, our heart … LC, you will forever be a College GameDay legend! pic.twitter.com/AjK8iNw7ye
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) April 17, 2025
Corso was known for his famous phrase, “Not so fast, my friend,” when he disagreed with someone on the show, but he was especially popular for his headgear picks. He got 286 of his 430 selections correct.
Having worn many helmets, mascot faces, and various other pieces of headgear, Corso also dressed up as Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish leprechaun, the Stanford Tree, and other notable characters.
He once held a real, live young alligator in his hands while picking Florida.
“I have a treasure of many friends, fond memories and some unusual experiences to take with me into retirement,” he added.
ESPN Planning To Celebrate Lee Corso
Corso’s last broadcast will air on August 30, a few weeks after his 90th birthday. ESPN is planning special programming to celebrate the veteran analyst in the buildup to that final show.
‘College GameDay’ has won nine Emmys with Corso on board and currently holds a nomination for Most Outstanding Studio Show – Weekly.
The soon-to-be 90-year-old was a football coach for 28 years, both in college and in the pros, having played for Florida State.
He’s worked alongside Kirk Herbstreit since 1996.
“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 had some praise for his colleague as well.
“Coach Corso has had an iconic run in broadcasting, and we’re all lucky to have been around to witness it,” he said his own 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.”
It goes without saying that Corso will be missed. We wish him the very best in retirement.
