- Corso made 430 headgear selections with 66% accuracy since 1995
- Overcame 2009 stroke to continue broadcasting for 16 more seasons
- Final broadcast set for August 30, 2025 season opener
- Coached 28 years before becoming college football's most recognizable analyst
For generations of college football fans, Lee Corso's exuberant personality and oversized mascot heads defined Saturday mornings. The 89-year-old broadcasting icon leaves behind an unmatched legacy as the emotional core of ESPN's College GameDay, having transformed sports analysis through his unique blend of coaching insight and theatrical flair.
Corso's headgear tradition began unexpectedly during a 1995 Ohio State broadcast when he donned Brutus Buckeye's costume to predict the winner. What started as spontaneous entertainment evolved into must-see television, with 72% of viewers in a 2023 Sports Business Journal poll citing it as GameDay's most anticipated segment. His 430 selections now represent a time capsule of college football history, from classic mascots like Florida's Albert Gator to creative renditions of historical figures.
The analyst's resilience became part of his legend following a 2009 stroke that temporarily halted his career. Against medical expectations, Corso returned within seven months to deliver his signature Not so fast!catchphrase - a moment that drew 8.2 million viewers and remains ESPN's most-replayed GameDay clip. His reduced travel schedule in recent years only heightened anticipation for appearances, particularly at Midwest games honoring his Indiana coaching tenure from 1973-1982.
Industry experts note Corso's impact extends beyond ratings. A 2024 University of Texas study found schools featured in his headgear segments average 23% merchandise sales spikes. His folksy rapport with analysts like Kirk Herbstreit established GameDay's template for blending analysis with entertainment - a format now replicated across 18 ESPN properties.
As tributes pour in from coaching greats and broadcast peers, Corso's final season promises nostalgic celebrations. ESPN plans archival specials and a cross-country farewell tour visiting Louisville (his first head coaching job), Indiana's Memorial Stadium, and Notre Dame - site of his beloved leprechaun prediction in 2012. Though the headgear will retire, Corso's influence persists through scholarships at his alma mater Florida State and the 14 analysts he mentored, including current GameDay host Rece Davis.