Lee Corso, one of college football’s best media personalities, is set to make his final appearance on College Gameday before retirement, according to USA Today.
Corso began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Florida State in 1958 before joining his head coach, Tom Nugent, at Maryland as the quarterbacks coach. He held that role from 1959 to 1965, then moved to Navy, where he served as the defensive backs coach from 1966 to 1968.
His big break came in 1969 when he landed the head coaching job at Louisville, leading the team until 1972. He later had head coaching stints at Indiana (1973–1982), Northern Iowa (1984), and the USFL’s Orlando Renegades (1985). In 1987, he joined ESPN as a contributor before becoming a full-time analyst in 1989.
Lee Corso’s iconic headgear tradition began on October 5, 1996, when the College GameDay crew visited Columbus, OH, ahead of the Penn State–Ohio State matchup. Over 28 seasons, Corso has made 430 GameDay appearances, delivering 430 of his signature headgear picks with an overall record of 286–144.
Among all the sites that have hosted College GameDay, Ohio State holds the record, serving as the host location 26 times—more than any other college football program. Additionally, the Buckeyes have appeared on College Gameday 66 times—more than any other team in college football—and hold the record for the most wins in those appearances, compiling a 44–20 record.
People across social media have expressed their gratitude and appreciation for everything Corso has contributed during his time with ESPN and College GameDay. While many fans are understandably sentimental, most also recognize that stepping away is in his best interest given his age and health concerns—what a legendary career it’s been.
Corso will turn 90 just three weeks before his final College GameDay show on August 30, which will be broadcast live from Columbus—the birthplace of his iconic headgear picks—for Ohio State’s 27th time hosting and their 67th overall appearance on the show as they are set to host Texas in a rematch of last season’s College Football Playoff Semifinals.