Part of me wanted to shout “not so fast, my friend” when ESPN released the news that the legendary Lee Corso will don his trademark headgear on August 30 and then retire from College Game Day.
Well, the man is almost 90 years old, and it’s time. But, wow, what a run he has had.
Corso has been part of College Game Day for 38 years. His first headgear pick was on October 5, 1996. He donned the Brutus mascot head in picking the Buckeyes to beat Penn State.
Ohio State won that game 38-7.
After 38 incredible years, Lee Corso is retiring ❤️
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) April 17, 2025
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
More importantly, a star was born. He has put on the headgear 430 times, and he picked the Buckeyes 45 times – the most of any team.
Guess who plays in Columbus on August 30.
Ohio State and Texas.
ESPN said the destination for Corso’s final pick will be announced later, but c’mon. It’s gotta be in Columbus.
At his best, Corso could be funny and insightful at the same time. He didn’t take himself too seriously because he instinctively knew that it’s ok – even desirable – to have some fun.
Other commentators – looking at you, Pat McAfee – could try to be funny, but fail. Forced humor isn’t entertaining.
I hope ESPN retires the headgear bit when Corso leaves. No one could ever replicate that. By the way, this is a preemptive strike against McAfee even THINKING he might to carry on the tradition.
That would be enough to make me switch to Urban Meyer on Fox. On second thought, no. I’d just hit the mute button on McAfee and make a sandwich when he’s on.
Corso’s schtick was natural, and it worked because he came across as a guy just talking a little football with his friends.
However, like I said, it’s time.
He had a stroke in 2009 that left him partially paralyzed and affected his speech. He also admitted that the stroke caused cognitive issues from which he never fully recovered.
Unfortunately, sometimes that showed.
“ESPN has been exceptionally generous to me, especially these past few years. They accommodated me and supported me, as did my colleagues in the early days of College GameDay,” Corso said in the news release.
“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.”
And this football fan is genuinely grateful for how Corso brightened many Saturday mornings during football season. If I had to be away from the TV when he donned his headgear, I recorded it or found it online.
Sure, it was corny and sometimes a little silly.
That’s what made it so great.
I know this is a site about USF athletics and I'll get back to that soon enough. But Lee Corso is a legend, and college football won't be the same without him.