The legendary run of Lee Corso on ESPN’s College GameDay is approaching its conclusion, as the network announced that Corso will participate in his final episode on August 30 before officially retiring. The 89-year-old has been a key figure on College GameDay since its inception in 1987, with his mascot headgear prediction segment becoming a signature feature since 1996.
In a statement, Corso expressed, “My family and I will be forever indebted for the opportunity to be part of ESPN and College GameDay for nearly 40 years. I have a treasure of many friends, fond memories and some unusual experiences to take with me into retirement. 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. A 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.”
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro added, “Lee Corso has developed a special connection to generations of fans through his entertaining style and iconic headgear picks. He 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.”
While there had been plenty of speculation regarding Corso’s future on the show in recent years as he took on a lighter role, he remained a weekly presence, with each episode still concluding with him putting on a mascot head. College GameDay has undergone numerous changes over the years, including shifts in its cast and transitions from studio to on-the-road broadcasts, with Corso serving as the steadfast constant throughout its 38-year journey.
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit, who has worked alongside Corso for 29 seasons, remarked, “Coach Corso has had an iconic run in broadcasting, and we’re all lucky to have been around to witness it. 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.”
Although College GameDay has yet to reveal the location for its August 30 show, a strong possibility is Columbus, Ohio, where the defending national champion Buckeyes will kick off their 2025 season against Texas. This would be a fitting venue for Corso’s sendoff, as Brutus Buckeye was the first mascot head he selected during an episode at Ohio State on October 5, 1996.
