Lee Corso, a fixture of ESPN’s College GameDay since 1987, will retire following the broadcast on 30 August 2025, the network confirmed on Thursday.
Lee Corso, the longtime ESPN broadcaster known for his headgear predictions and lively on-air presence, will end his run on College GameDay at the start of the 2025 college football season.
His final appearance will air on 30 August, marking the end of a 38-year tenure that helped define college football coverage in the United States.
“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. “I have a treasure of many friends, fond memories and some unusual experiences to take with me into retirement.”
Corso, who turns 90 in August, began his trademark headgear segment in 1996, donning mascot heads, helmets, and even historical costumes to make his weekly predictions. Since then, he has made 430 headgear selections, posting a record of 286 wins to 144 losses.
Famous for his catchphrase “Not so fast, my friend,” Corso became a fan favourite alongside colleagues Kirk Herbstreit, Rece Davis, and Desmond Howard. His chemistry with the panel helped make the Saturday morning programme a staple of college football culture.
Herbstreit paid tribute to Corso in a social media message: “Almost 30 years together. I have enjoyed sitting next to you, watching you do your thing. So much fun and so many great moments on the show and off the show. This is a celebration for everything you did. You’re an icon and once in a lifetime person. It has been a special time for all of us. You’ve earned this retirement.”
Corso overcame a stroke in 2009 that temporarily left him unable to speak, returning to the programme later that year. In recent seasons, he has appeared less frequently on the road, though he attended the national title game between Ohio State and Notre Dame in Atlanta last year.
Before joining ESPN, Corso spent nearly three decades coaching college and professional football, including stints at Louisville, Indiana, and Northern Illinois.
ESPN said it plans special programming to honour Corso’s legacy ahead of his final show.
