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Lee Corso to retire from ESPN's College GameDay after nearly 40 years

ESPN's Lee Corso during College Gameday prior to the game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Tennessee Volunteers at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 10, 2016 in Bristol, Tennessee.
Michael Shroyer/Getty Images
ESPN's Lee Corso during College Gameday prior to the game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Tennessee Volunteers at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 10, 2016 in Bristol, Tennessee.
SOURCE: Michael Shroyer/Getty Images
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Lee Corso to retire from ESPN's College GameDay after nearly 40 years
Lee Corso, the broadcaster who for 38 years has been the cornerstone of ESPN's College GameDay, will make his final headgear pick later this year. The network said Corso, who turns 90 in August, will end his nearly four-decade run on the broadcast during week 1 of the 2025 college football season on Aug. 30. Corso has been part of GameDay since it debuted in 1987. “My family and I will be forever indebted for the opportunity to be part of ESPN and College GameDay for nearly 40 years,” said Corso. “I have a treasure of many friends, fond memories and some unusual experiences to take with me into retirement.”“Lee Corso has developed a special connection to generations of fans through his entertaining style and iconic headgear picks,” ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. “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.”Corso made his first headgear pick during the 1996 season, when he donned Ohio State’s Brutus Buckeye mascot head. It quickly became his trademark. Corso’s weekly end-of-show pick has become a broadcast tradition. The network said Corso has made 430 headgear picks, including the Buckeyes a record 45 times since 1996. “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,” said Kirk Herbstreit, who has worked alongside Corso for 29 seasons on College GameDay. “It has been my absolute honor to have the best seat in the house to watch Coach put on that mascot head each week.”Prior to his broadcasting career, Corso spent 28 years coaching at both the college and professional levels, including a 17-year stint as head coach at Louisville. ESPN says the Week 1 broadcast will celebrate his legendary broadcast career.

Lee Corso, the broadcaster who for 38 years has been the cornerstone of ESPN's College GameDay, will make his final headgear pick later this year.

The network said Corso, who turns 90 in August, will end his nearly four-decade run on the broadcast during week 1 of the 2025 college football season on Aug. 30. Corso has been part of GameDay since it debuted in 1987.

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“My family and I will be forever indebted for the opportunity to be part of ESPN and College GameDay for nearly 40 years,” said Corso. “I have a treasure of many friends, fond memories and some unusual experiences to take with me into retirement.”

“Lee Corso has developed a special connection to generations of fans through his entertaining style and iconic headgear picks,” ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. “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.”

Corso made his first headgear pick during the 1996 season, when he donned Ohio State’s Brutus Buckeye mascot head. It quickly became his trademark. Corso’s weekly end-of-show pick has become a broadcast tradition. The network said Corso has made 430 headgear picks, including the Buckeyes a record 45 times since 1996.

“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,” said Kirk Herbstreit, who has worked alongside Corso for 29 seasons on College GameDay. “It has been my absolute honor to have the best seat in the house to watch Coach put on that mascot head each week.”

Prior to his broadcasting career, Corso spent 28 years coaching at both the college and professional levels, including a 17-year stint as head coach at Louisville.

ESPN says the Week 1 broadcast will celebrate his legendary broadcast career.