ESPN’s “College GameDay” has become a staple of Saturday mornings for those who indulge themselves in full days of college football in the fall. It’s the perfect appetizer for a long day of watching football.
If “GameDay” is the perfect appetizer, over the years, Lee Corso has become the garnish that puts the show over the top. His career with ESPN and “GameDay” has been long and prolific. He’s been a consistent part of the show since 1987.
His analysis is usually spot on, but in recent years, he’s become famous for his mascot headgear picks as the crew makes its predictions for who will win the day’s biggest games.
Corso is a college football icon, but he’ll turn 90 years old in early August, and he’s deciding it’s time to call it quits.
“My family and I will be forever indebted for the opportunity to be part of ESPN and College GameDay for nearly 40 years,” Corso 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.”
The 2025 season will be Corso’s last, and he’s going to go out in style. He’s going to retire on the set of “College GameDay” and the end of the first show of the season. He’ll literally sign off the show in typical Corso fashion and clock out of his career.
The location for that first episode hasn’t yet been announced, but it will happen on ESPN’s Aug. 30 broadcast. There will also be additional programming in the days leading up to that Saturday that will celebrate Corso’s career.
“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.”
