Kirk Herbstreit, an Ohio State legend, makes it clear that Lee Corso is retiring.

For decades, the sound of college football Saturday mornings has been unmistakable: the hum of anticipation, the roar of student sections, and the playful, often poignant banter between ESPN’s College GameDay crew. At the heart of that tradition stands one man whose energy, wit, and signature headgear picks have captivated millions—Lee Corso. But now, it’s clear that the curtain is finally coming down on this legendary run.

On Saturday, longtime friend and co-host Kirk Herbstreit, a former Ohio State quarterback and now a face of college football broadcasting, made it official: Lee Corso is retiring.

The announcement didn’t come via press release or corporate statement. Instead, it came with a familiar mix of reverence and emotion—on the air, where Corso built his second life after coaching. And fittingly, it was Herbstreit, who has stood beside Corso on set since 1996, who delivered the news.

A Tearful Tribute

During a segment on ESPN previewing the upcoming season, Herbstreit—his voice wavering—shared what had long been speculated.

“I think it’s time people understood something,” Herbstreit said. “This will be Lee’s final year. He’s given everything he has to this sport and to this show, and he deserves to go out knowing how much he’s meant to us all.”

Herbstreit’s eyes welled with tears as he recounted stories of Corso’s warmth behind the scenes—his unmatched preparation, his dedication to connecting with fans, and his unshakeable loyalty to his friends on the set.

The emotion was raw. For those who grew up with Corso as a Saturday morning constant, the moment felt like the end of an era. But for Herbstreit, who shared more than just camera time with Corso, it was personal.

“I wouldn’t be the broadcaster I am today without Lee Corso,” Herbstreit said. “He’s my mentor. He’s family.”

Corso’s Journey: From Coach to Cultural Icon

Lee Corso’s career began long before ESPN cameras rolled. Born in Miami in 1935, Corso was a quarterback and defensive back at Florida State University before entering the coaching ranks. His journey included head coaching stops at Louisville, Indiana, and Northern Illinois, with a career record of 73–85–6.

While his coaching record was modest, it was his charismatic personality that ultimately launched him into broadcasting stardom. In 1987, ESPN hired Corso to help launch College GameDay, a college football preview show that would eventually become an institution.

What started as a relatively modest show quickly grew, thanks in no small part to Corso’s lively, sometimes unpredictable presence. By the mid-90s, the show was traveling to campuses across the country, and Corso had adopted his now-famous tradition: donning the mascot head of the team he was picking to win.

The catchphrase—“Not so fast, my friend!”—entered the college football lexicon. So did the laughter, the occasional flubs, and the genuine joy Corso brought to the broadcast each week.

The Toll of Time

In recent years, fans have noticed Corso slowing down. Following a stroke in 2009, Corso’s speech and mobility were affected. Yet he returned to the show that fall, determined to continue.

His role on GameDay gradually changed. Segments were shortened. He was sometimes remote during COVID. The show’s producers made subtle adjustments, and Herbstreit, Rece Davis, Desmond Howard, and others did more of the heavy lifting. But one thing never changed: the reverence the crew had for Corso.

Still, whispers grew louder over the last couple of years. Was it time? Would ESPN make a formal announcement? Did Corso want a send-off tour, or would he quietly fade away?

This spring, the answer arrived—directly from Herbstreit, in the most heartfelt way possible.

“Lee never wanted a big goodbye,” Herbstreit noted. “But I think we owe him more than that. We owe him the biggest celebration college football has ever seen.”

Herbstreit’s Role: The Ultimate Teammate

Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso are, in many ways, college football’s odd couple. Herbstreit is analytical, polished, and methodical—shaped by his years at Ohio State and a broadcasting career built on professionalism. Corso, meanwhile, brought the heart. The unexpected.

Together, they became the soul of GameDay. Their on-screen chemistry was authentic because the off-screen relationship was even stronger.

“Lee was always like the favorite uncle,” Herbstreit once said in an interview. “He’d make us laugh, but he also made us think. And when he had something to say, you listened.”

That mentorship, Herbstreit has acknowledged, extended far beyond television. Corso encouraged him early in his career, challenged him to show personality, and gave him a blueprint for longevity in an ever-changing media landscape.

It’s no coincidence that as Corso prepares to step away, Herbstreit is perhaps at the peak of his powers—serving as the lead analyst for both ESPN and Amazon’s NFL Thursday Night Football coverage.

A Season-Long Sendoff

According to sources at ESPN, the network is planning to honor Corso throughout the upcoming college football season. Every campus stop will include special segments highlighting Corso’s most memorable picks and moments.

The final stop? It’s not confirmed, but insiders believe the last GameDay appearance for Corso will be at the site of the College Football Playoff National Championship.

“It would be fitting,” said Rece Davis. “For Lee to end this incredible ride at the biggest game of the year, surrounded by fans who love him—that’s what this season is building toward.”

Expect tributes from coaches, players, alumni, and celebrities. Expect clips of classic Corso gaffes, impromptu dances, and, of course, his unforgettable mascot reveals.

Corso’s Legacy: More Than Just a Headgear Pick

Lee Corso’s impact can’t be measured in ratings alone. He helped turn GameDay into a phenomenon, yes, but he also helped humanize the sport.

While other analysts focused on Xs and Os, Corso reminded everyone that college football was supposed to be fun. His humor softened the intensity. His presence brought generations together—grandparents, parents, and kids tuning in every Saturday morning.

More than that, he was a champion for underdogs, a walking history book of the sport, and a man who, even in his 80s, delighted in surprising fans.

“The greatest thing about Lee,” said Herbstreit, “is that even when he struggled with his health, he never lost that spark. He never stopped caring about this show or the people watching it.”

Reaction Around the College Football World

News of Corso’s retirement spread quickly after Herbstreit’s remarks, triggering a wave of emotion across social media and the college football community.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said, “Lee Corso is a legend. No one represents the joy and tradition of this sport like him.”

Nick Saban, head coach of Alabama, added: “It won’t be the same without Lee. He’s a part of what made college football what it is today.”

Former Notre Dame linebacker and current analyst Mike Golic Jr. tweeted, “I grew up watching Lee Corso make college football fun. A true icon. Thank you, Coach.”

Even celebrities chimed in. Matthew McConaughey posted a video on Instagram tipping his hat—literally—to Corso. “Alright, alright, alright—there goes the GOAT,” he said. “Hook ‘em, Lee!”

What Comes Next?

Though Corso will be stepping away from full-time broadcasting, ESPN sources say he will likely remain involved in a limited capacity, possibly contributing to special segments or appearing at major college football events.

There is also talk of a documentary in the works chronicling Corso’s unique journey from coach to cultural icon. Herbstreit is expected to be heavily involved.

As for who might replace Corso in the mascot pick chair? ESPN hasn’t made an announcement, and it may be a rotating cast at first. But Herbstreit made one thing clear:

“You don’t replace Lee Corso. You honor him.”

The story of college football in the modern era can’t be told without Lee Corso. His name is etched alongside the greats—not for the games he coached, but for the joy he brought to millions who loved the sport.

Kirk Herbstreit, with grace and emotion, gave Corso the sendoff he deserves. Not with a script. Not with corporate fanfare. But with love. With honesty. With a voice that cracked under the weight of two decades of memories.

As this coming season unfolds, fans will no doubt cherish every remaining headgear pick, every sly smile, and every final “Not so fast, my friend.”

And when Corso makes his last pick, under the bright lights of the championship stage, it will be more than a prediction—it’ll be a goodbye. A goodbye to a legend, from a sport he helped make legendary.