After nearly four decades, an era is ending in college football television. Lee Corso, one of the faces of ESPN’s College GameDay and a beloved personality to generations of fans, is retiring after the 2025 college football season opener. At 89 years old, Corso’s run with the program has been an amazing adventure filled with unforgettable catchphrases, bold mascot-head predictions, and a warmth that made him as much a part of Saturday mornings as the games themselves.
Corso joined GameDay in 1987 and helped transform it from a small studio show into a national phenomenon. His now-iconic tradition of donning the headgear of his chosen team each week—a bit that debuted in 1996—became a staple of college football fandom. Whether he was wearing Brutus Buckeye’s oversized noggin or plunging into a sea of LSU purple and gold, Corso brought theater, charm, and unpredictability to the show.
His retirement announcement, which comes just before his 90th birthday, is being met with celebration, reverence—and an honest question: did ESPN wait too long?
A Celebrated Farewell—or One That Came Too Late?
Corso suffered a serious stroke in 2009 that affected his speech and mobility. Despite the setback, he returned to the show later that year, and ESPN admirably adjusted his role. In the years since, Corso has been used more sparingly, often appearing from his home in Florida and taking on less of the fast-paced banter the show is known for. But even as his contributions slowed, his mere presence seemed enough to justify his place at the table.
As time marched on, the tone around Corso’s appearances shifted. Moments of awkward silence, missed cues, and forced transitions became more common. His colleagues—especially Kirk Herbstreit—have done a heroic job supporting and protecting him on-air, but it became increasingly clear that Corso wasn’t the same TV personality he once was. Viewers could feel it. Some watched with concern, others with gratitude. All understood that this was a man whose health had been compromised, but whose heart never left the game.
That’s what makes this moment bittersweet. There’s deep respect for the loyalty ESPN showed to Corso. They gave him the dignity of deciding his own exit. They allowed him to remain a symbol of the show’s spirit. But there’s also a sense that, for the show’s sake—and perhaps for Corso’s—this farewell could have come a few years earlier, when his energy and timing better matched the demands of live television.
Who Replaces Corso?
In truth, you don’t replace Lee Corso. You follow him. The charisma, showmanship, and affection he generated can’t be recreated by formula. But someone will have to sit in that seat—figuratively, if not literally—and try to capture a fraction of what Corso brought to the show.
Here are some of the names being floated, and what they might bring:
1. Pat McAfee
Already a central figure on the show, McAfee brings big energy, brash humor, and growing influence. He’s polarizing, but undeniably charismatic, and he’s connecting with a younger audience ESPN craves. His unpredictability echoes the spirit of Corso, though in a more modern, edgy tone. He might not be a direct replacement, but if the show wants spectacle, McAfee’s their guy.
2. Booger McFarland
A steady presence with SEC credibility and football intellect, McFarland would bring stability. He doesn’t match Corso’s flair, but could be the adult in the room if the rest of the panel leans more toward entertainment.
3. Dan Orlovsky or Greg McElroy
Both are respected analysts with growing profiles. Orlovsky, in particular, is getting more high-profile assignments across ESPN. While neither are “characters” in the Corso mold, they’d bring a fresh, football-first tone—which might be the right pivot post-Corso.
4. A Rotating Cast
Rather than anoint a single heir, ESPN could lean into the spectacle by featuring different high-profile guests—former players, celebrities, and coaches—for the headgear segment. It would keep things unpredictable and honor Corso’s legacy with a sense of fun and spontaneity.
What Comes Next for GameDay?
As ESPN looks ahead, it faces a delicate task: honoring Corso’s legacy without trying to carbon-copy it. GameDay will go on. The fans will still gather in droves. The signs will still wave. The band will still play. But something will be missing—something intangible, something heartwarming.
More Than Just a Broadcaster
Corso wasn’t just a broadcaster. He was the fun uncle, the circus ringmaster, the wise elder. He gave college football a face that smiled, joked, and genuinely loved being there. For nearly 40 years, he made the sport feel bigger, more human, more joyful.
Whether ESPN waited too long to let him go is a fair question. But there’s no doubt that when he walks away this fall, he’ll do so as one of the most cherished figures in sports television.
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The Best/Worst Thing I’ve Heard/Watched/Read Recently
The worst thing I have read recently is the press release from Audacy announcing they had elevated Bob Mackay to Senior VP/Market Manager for their Dallas market. Congrats to Bob on getting the promotion.
The press release Audacy sent out is a great example of why the industry and that company fails, a lot.
“Mackay will continue to serve as Vice President of Sales of Audacy Dallas. He succeeds Brian Purdy, who will continue as Regional President with oversight of 16 markets.”
Read that again.
A guy was promoted to run what amounts to 9 properties. In order to get that job he also has to keep his old one and do both. Impossible. Zero chance of success. Completely set up to fail.
Now, my biggest beef with radio generally lies with the corporate offices and the Regional Managers. Brian Purdy is going to oversee 16 markets. So really, he will oversee a mess of his own schedule. Marconi himself couldn’t manage 16 markets, certainly not effectively.
He will either spend every waking moment of his time traveling to markets – or more than likely, visit rarely and have absolutely no real connection as to what is going on in his region. He will simply be at the mercy of a Market Manager who is scared to death he/she is about to lose their job.
I’ve seen it, I’ve been there, it doesn’t work. Period.
More moves by Audacy. More mistakes. Rinse, repeat.
Read the full press release by clicking here.
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In Case You Missed It
I always like John Molori’s columns as he looks in on different sports television shows and gives his opinion. John will tell you what he likes about different shows and people, but he also isn’t afraid to point out things he thinks can be improved. This week, he wrote about Unsportsmanlike from ESPN, which is their morning radio show, but is also simulcast on ESPN2 and ESPNU.
I had written about the show previously, but I really liked the way John described it:
“The word I use to describe Unsportsmanlike is balance. Cohen, Canty, and Smallmon effectively mix fun banter with hardcore sports chat. They let their personalities shine but not to the point where it blinds viewers and listeners.”
Read John’s full column by clicking here.
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Dave Greene is the Chief Media Officer for Barrett Media. His background includes over 25 years in media and content creation. A former sports talk host and play-by-play broadcaster, Dave transitioned to station and sales management, co-founded and created a monthly sports publication and led an ownership group as the operating partner. He has managed stations and sales teams for Townsquare Media, Cumulus Media and Audacy. Upon leaving broadcast media he co-founded Podcast Heat, a sports and entertainment podcasting network specializing in pro wrestling nostalgia. To interact, find him on Twitter @mr_podcasting. You can also reach him by email at Dave@BarrettMedia.com.
