30-year ESPN veteran returns to delight fans with show-ending headgear pick

Lee Corso – the beloved ESPN College GameDay Built by The Home Depot analyst – has agreed to a multiyear deal to remain on college football’s longest-running and most-celebrated pregame show. Corso will also play a role on ESPN’s College Football Playoff programming.

Corso joined ESPN in 1987 and is the only remaining original College GameDay on-air personality (he was a contributor in 1987-88 and joined as an analyst in 1989).

“I reflect on my 30 years at ESPN and continue to count my blessings each time I walk on the College GameDay set,” said Corso. “The fans keep me energized, and being surrounded by such a talented and dynamic GameDay crew is the best medicine for this old coach.”

“Coach Corso has been the mainstay on College GameDay since the beginning and we couldn’t imagine the show without him,” said Lee Fitting, ESPN senior coordinating producer. “Arguably, nobody has done as much for the popularity of college football over the past 30 years than Coach Corso. His dedication, preparation and unwavering love for College GameDay and its fans is so powerful and we are lucky to call him ours.”

The seven-time Emmy Award-winning show is hosted by Rece Davis, who is also joined by analysts Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and David Pollack.

The headgear phenomenon began on October 5, 1996, prior to the Ohio State-Penn State game in Columbus, Ohio, when Corso put on OSU’s “Brutus Buckeye” mascot head to show his pick to win the game – watch here. He has put the headgear on 294 times and is 193-101 in those selections.

His 300th headgear pick will come during week six of the 2017 season.

Corso came to ESPN after 28 years as a coach at the college and professional levels, including 17 seasons as a head coach. He is also director of business development for Dixon Ticonderoga, Heathrow, Fla., an international diversified manufacturer and marketer of writing and arts products.

Thoughts on Corso

Rece Davis, College GameDay host

“Nobody epitomizes what College GameDay is more than Lee Corso. His pure enthusiasm and love for college football, the pageantry and his deep connection with the fans are the heartbeat of our show. College football Saturdays aren’t ready for kickoff until Coach puts on that headgear. His energy and personality have permanently etched that moment into the lore of the sport. I have so much respect for Lee as a teammate. He cares deeply about the good of the show and the people involved with it, both on camera and behind-the-scenes. As much fun as it is to work with him every Saturday morning on College GameDay, it’s almost that much fun keeping up with him on the sideline during the game every week. The Sunshine Scooter has still got some wheels. I couldn’t be more delighted that we will get to work together for many years to come.”

Kirk Herbstreit, College football analyst

“Lee Corso is College GameDay! We are so fortunate that Lee continues to enjoy good health – and as long as he is feeling good – rest assured he will ALWAYS have a seat on the GameDay set!”

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ESPN media contact: Rachel Margolis Siegal at 860-766-2798 or [email protected]