The Lee Corso era on College GameDay is set to conclude as ESPN announced Thursday that the legendary studio analyst will make his final appearance on August 30, 2025, before retiring. Corso has significantly shaped college football’s rise in popularity over the past few decades; his joy and passion on the College GameDay set have been essential to making the show a defining studio program of our time. Furthermore, ESPN’s decision to take Corso and the team on the road to various campuses for College GameDay has proven to be one of the greatest moves in sports media history.
With his retirement announcement on Thursday, ESPN colleagues and numerous personalities from the sports media realm have paid tribute to this broadcasting legend. Chris Fowler reflected, “quick reflections and tribute to a dear friend and living legend, with word now official that #leecorso is retiring from @CollegeGameDay after one huge send-off! Much more to come. Love you, LC!”
quick reflections and tribute to a dear friend and living legend, with word now official that #leecorso is retiring from @CollegeGameDay after one huge send off!
much more to come. Love you, LC! pic.twitter.com/V2Q15Qi795— Chris Fowler (@cbfowler) April 17, 2025
Love ya Coach—you’ll be missed more than ya know. Been our honor to be with ya all these years. https://t.co/tQHMn5wjyV pic.twitter.com/XdH0btZx9K
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) April 17, 2025
What Lee Corso means to me. pic.twitter.com/vS2gg410dW
— Rece Davis (@ReceDavis) April 17, 2025
Statement from ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro on Lee Corso’s upcoming retirement
More: https://t.co/RpjhSPhmQJ pic.twitter.com/JhX7pcEcSQ
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) April 17, 2025
Honored to work with Lee Corso. An incredible spirit and kindness that he shared with all. Corso on his final @CollegeGameDay in Week 1: “My family and I will be forever indebted for the opportunity to be part of ESPN and College GameDay for nearly 40 years.” https://t.co/RyFPIYAB0N
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 17, 2025
No show celebrates a sport more than College GameDay, and no person celebrated it more than Lee Corso. It’s why the show and him have endured for so long and never lost popularity.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) April 17, 2025
End of an era. Lee Corso is a legend. https://t.co/Iw1P5Wf6O1
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) April 17, 2025
Lee Corso = Legendary!!! Congrats on Retirement in August!! “Not so fast my friend” 🙏🏾 College football isn’t what it is without you my man
— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) April 17, 2025
His legacy will forever be linked with the sport. Lee Corso is an icon. The best of the best. https://t.co/m5xP0Y6xFc
— Kevin Negandhi (@KevinNegandhi) April 17, 2025
Lee Corso’s passion for college football has resonated with fans for decades. A fall Saturday morning is not complete until he makes his headgear pick. Can’t wait to see the final one. An absolute legend. What a run. https://t.co/OQN6Jr78ul
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 17, 2025
Although Corso has not been the same on-air since suffering a stroke in 2009, he remains a beloved figure among fans, with every appearance on College GameDay being cherished as a reminder of his lasting impact. Recently, ESPN has added new faces, including Pat McAfee and Nick Saban, to the College GameDay set in anticipation of this moment. Yet, Corso’s iconic headgear picks continue to be the highlight of each episode he graces.
Ultimately, the fact that Lee Corso will retire on his terms, with a grand celebration marking his contribution to college football as the 2025 season kicks off, is the best possible outcome for ESPN. The numerous tributes flooding in since his announcement underscore the magnitude of this event.
