History of Lee Corso in Timeline

Lee Corso is an American sports broadcaster and college football analyst best known for his role on ESPN's College GameDay since 1987. A former coach, Corso gained prominence through his enthusiastic personality and signature headgear picks, where he dons the headgear of the team he predicts will win a featured game. His vibrant presence and memorable catchphrases have made him a beloved and iconic figure in college football broadcasting. He is known for his energetic style, humorous banter, and passion for the sport.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

August 7, 1935: Lee Corso's Birth

Lee Richard Corso was born on August 7, 1935. He is an American sports broadcaster and college football analyst for ESPN and a former coach.

1956: Blue-Gray Game

In 1956, Lee Corso was the starting quarterback for the South in the Blue-Gray Game, which his team lost to the North team 14-0.

1957: Bachelor's Degree

In 1957, Lee Corso graduated with a bachelor's degree in physical education.

1957: Marriage to Betsy

In 1957, Lee Corso married his wife, Betsy.

1958: Master's Degree

In 1958, Lee Corso obtained a master's degree in administration and supervision.

1962: Recruits Darryl Hill

In 1962, Lee Corso recruited Darryl Hill to transfer to Maryland from the Naval Academy. This made Hill the first African-American football player in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

1966: Defensive Backs Coach at Navy

In 1966, Lee Corso became the defensive backs coach at Navy.

1967: First Top-20 Ranking

In 1979, Indiana's victory over the Cougars propelled the team to 16th in the UPI poll, marking the Hoosiers' first top-20 ranking since 1967.

1969: Head Football Coach at Louisville

In 1969, Lee Corso began his tenure as the head football coach at the University of Louisville.

1970: Takes Louisville to Bowl Game

In 1970, Lee Corso coached Louisville to its second-ever bowl game.

1972: Hired by Indiana

After taking Louisville to a bowl game in 1970, Lee Corso was hired by Indiana University in 1972.

1972: Leaves Louisville, Hired by Indiana

In 1972, Lee Corso ended his time as head football coach at the University of Louisville and was hired by Indiana University.

1973: Coaching at Indiana

In 1973, Lee Corso began coaching at Indiana University.

1973: Head Football Coach at Indiana

In 1973, Lee Corso started as the head football coach at Indiana University Bloomington.

1976: Timeout for a Photo

During a game in the 1976 season, Lee Corso called a timeout after his team scored a touchdown early in the second quarter against Ohio State. The entire team huddled together for a photograph with the scoreboard filling the background, which read Indiana 7, Ohio State 6.

1979: Winning Season and Holiday Bowl

In 1979, Lee Corso led the Indiana Hoosiers to a winning season, ending with a 7-4 record and a trip to the Holiday Bowl where they beat the previously unbeaten BYU Cougars.

1980: Winning Season

In 1980, Lee Corso led Indiana to another winning season.

1982: Leaves Indiana

In 1982, Lee Corso was fired from his position at Indiana after coaching for ten years.

1984: Head Coach at Northern Illinois University

In 1984, Lee Corso became the head football coach at Northern Illinois University.

1985: Head Coach for Orlando Renegades

In 1985, Lee Corso became the head coach for the Orlando Renegades of the United States Football League.

1986: League Suspends Operations

In 1986, Lee Corso was slated to return to the Orlando Renegades, but the league suspended operations before the season began.

1987: Joins ESPN's College GameDay

In 1987, Lee Corso joined ESPN's College GameDay program as an analyst. He has been on the program since its inception.

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1987: Hired by ESPN

In 1987, Lee Corso was hired by ESPN as an analyst for its Saturday College GameDay program.

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1993: College GameDay Originated from Game Sites

Since 1993, ESPN's College GameDay program, featuring Lee Corso as an analyst, had originated from the site of one of the day's big games.

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October 5, 1996: Mascot Headgear Prediction

On October 5, 1996, Lee Corso started his mascot headgear prediction tradition at the Ohio State-Penn State game in Columbus, Ohio, by donning the Brutus Buckeye mascot head to show his pick to win the game.

2001: Soybean Crayon Effort

In 2001, Lee Corso spearheaded an effort to create a crayon completely out of soybeans while serving as Director of Business Development for Dixon Ticonderoga.

2006: NCAA Football Title Appearance

From 2006, Lee Corso appeared annually in EA Sports' NCAA Football titles along with Herbstreit and Brad Nessler.

2006: Nike Commercial Cameo

In 2006, Lee Corso made a brief cameo in a Nike commercial featuring the fictional Briscoe High School football team. He takes his hawk mascot head off while the game's deciding play unfolds.

May 16, 2009: Corso Suffered a Stroke

On May 16, 2009, Lee Corso suffered a stroke at his Florida home, resulting in partial paralysis and a month of speechlessness. He spent three days in intensive care and a week in the hospital, followed by a lengthy rehabilitation. He was able to return to his ESPN College GameDay duties for the 2009 season.

December 9, 2010: Contributions to College Football Award

On December 9, 2010, Lee Corso was honored with the National College Football Awards Association's Contributions to College Football Award during the Home Depot College Football Awards show at Walt Disney World.

2011: Final Play-by-Play

Lee Corso appeared in the NCAA Football titles along with Herbstreit and play-by-play man Brad Nessler until NCAA Football 11, in 2011, in which he does not do play-by-play.

November 1, 2014: 250th Headgear Pick

On November 1, 2014, Lee Corso made his 250th headgear pick, TCU's Super Frog, before the TCU-WVU game in Morgantown, West Virginia.

2018: Death of Burt Reynolds

In 2018, Burt Reynolds, Lee Corso's friend and former roommate, passed away.

September 16, 2023: 400th Headgear Pick

On September 16, 2023, Lee Corso made his 400th headgear pick, Colorado's Chip the Buffalo, before the Buffaloes' game versus the Colorado State Rams in Boulder, Colorado.

December 9, 2024: Headgear Pick Record

As of December 9, 2024, teams chosen by Lee Corso in his headgear picks had a record of 284 wins to 142 losses, producing a win percentage of 66.67%.

April 17, 2025: Retirement Announcement

On April 17, 2025, Lee Corso announced his retirement from broadcasting.

August 30, 2025: Final Appearance

Lee Corso's final broadcasting appearance is scheduled for August 30, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio, for Week 1 of ESPN College GameDay, covering a game between Texas and Ohio State.