Three weeks from today, an era in college football will come to a close. At 90 years old, Lee Corso will step onto the College GameDay set one last time, his trademark smile as bright as the Saturday morning sun, his heart racing with the anticipation of his final headgear pick. For more than three decades, Corso has been more than just a television personality; he has been the heartbeat of college football mornings, the friendly coach we all knew, whether we ever met him or not. He reminded us, without ever saying it verbally, how to allow sports, especially college football, to be a time to set all the things in life that divide us aside and join together as fans and simply enjoy life.
Every Saturday during the season, fans across America would put their weekend plans on pause for a few minutes. It didn’t matter if they were tailgating, making breakfast, grocery shopping, mowing the yard, or even driving to a game, when it came time for “Coach” to make his pick, everyone tuned in. His headgear tradition was part prediction, part performance, but all heart. The moment the over-sized head came on, the crowd roared, social media lit up, and college football officially began for the day. Corso has made 430 headgear picks along the way with an overall winning percentage of 66.5%. He has picked 69 different teams, with Ohio State being the most frequent choice at 45 times. Corso's picks have included 286 wins and 144 losses.
Corso’s impact went beyond wins and losses. His picks were never just about the game; they were about the people, the traditions, and the unifying joy of college football. He laughed with us, surprised us, and sometimes even trolled us with unexpected choices, but he always made us feel like part of the show. His playful jabs and signature “Not so fast, my friend!” became as much a part of the sport as marching bands and fight songs.
However, we have watched Lee grow older, just as we all have with a parent or grandparent. We have seen him struggle physically and fight for life. We have missed him in recent years as his health and age have impacted his ability to travel and perform. We have painfully watched him struggle to formulate the words his mind wanted to say, but his mouth couldn’t produce. We have witnessed him and Kirk Herbstreit form a father-son type bond that was as genuine off-screen as it was on.
Now, as the curtain closes on Corso’s extraordinary run, there is a poignant reminder for all of us: life is precious, and the opportunities we are given, no matter how long they last, are worth cherishing. For Lee, those Saturdays on the road were never just a job; they were a gift. “I was so lucky to do what I love for so long,” he has said. But the truth is, we, the fans, were the lucky ones.
On August 30, ESPN will return to where the impromptu idea began on October 5, 1996, in Columbus, Ohio. Coach will make his final pick and slip on that last headgear, however, it won’t just be the end of a segment; it will be the final chapter in one of sports broadcasting’s most beloved stories, a story that made millions of Saturdays brighter and college football even more unforgettable.
But, Lee Corso’s legacy should not be remembered just for headgear; he has also inspired the next generation of College GameDay voices. Lee laid the runway, and others will continue to take off, carrying college football into new eras while remembering the one who showed them how it’s done. Although this is Lee’s last at-bat as he walks back toward the dugout, Pat McAfee, tip your cap and get ready, because you are up next.
By Steven Shelton
ESPN Cleveland Columnist /Analyst
Every Saturday during the season, fans across America would put their weekend plans on pause for a few minutes. It didn’t matter if they were tailgating, making breakfast, grocery shopping, mowing the yard, or even driving to a game, when it came time for “Coach” to make his pick, everyone tuned in. His headgear tradition was part prediction, part performance, but all heart. The moment the over-sized head came on, the crowd roared, social media lit up, and college football officially began for the day. Corso has made 430 headgear picks along the way with an overall winning percentage of 66.5%. He has picked 69 different teams, with Ohio State being the most frequent choice at 45 times. Corso's picks have included 286 wins and 144 losses.
Corso’s impact went beyond wins and losses. His picks were never just about the game; they were about the people, the traditions, and the unifying joy of college football. He laughed with us, surprised us, and sometimes even trolled us with unexpected choices, but he always made us feel like part of the show. His playful jabs and signature “Not so fast, my friend!” became as much a part of the sport as marching bands and fight songs.
However, we have watched Lee grow older, just as we all have with a parent or grandparent. We have seen him struggle physically and fight for life. We have missed him in recent years as his health and age have impacted his ability to travel and perform. We have painfully watched him struggle to formulate the words his mind wanted to say, but his mouth couldn’t produce. We have witnessed him and Kirk Herbstreit form a father-son type bond that was as genuine off-screen as it was on.
Now, as the curtain closes on Corso’s extraordinary run, there is a poignant reminder for all of us: life is precious, and the opportunities we are given, no matter how long they last, are worth cherishing. For Lee, those Saturdays on the road were never just a job; they were a gift. “I was so lucky to do what I love for so long,” he has said. But the truth is, we, the fans, were the lucky ones.
On August 30, ESPN will return to where the impromptu idea began on October 5, 1996, in Columbus, Ohio. Coach will make his final pick and slip on that last headgear, however, it won’t just be the end of a segment; it will be the final chapter in one of sports broadcasting’s most beloved stories, a story that made millions of Saturdays brighter and college football even more unforgettable.
But, Lee Corso’s legacy should not be remembered just for headgear; he has also inspired the next generation of College GameDay voices. Lee laid the runway, and others will continue to take off, carrying college football into new eras while remembering the one who showed them how it’s done. Although this is Lee’s last at-bat as he walks back toward the dugout, Pat McAfee, tip your cap and get ready, because you are up next.
By Steven Shelton
ESPN Cleveland Columnist /Analyst