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Steve Sarkisian Hails Lee Corso’s Impact on College Football Amid Changing Landscape

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt De Lima | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 3:45 PM ET

The legend of Lee Corso transcends college football. The 89-year-old broadcaster, analyst and former coach has been a mainstay on ESPN's "College GameDay" since 1987. He announced his retirement in April.

During an episode of "3rd & Longhorn," Texas Longhorns football head coach Steve Sarkisian was the special guest and discussed a range of topics, including why he joined the Longhorns, Arch Manning, the upcoming schedule and more.

Part of that discussion, though, turned to Corso, as ESPN is giving him a final send-off in Week 1 when the Ohio State Buckeyes host Texas on Aug. 30. Sarkisian spoke of the legendary host's impact on the game.

“I think about Chris Fowler when he used to be on there, and then that transition to Rece Davis," Sarkisian said. "But all the while, Lee Corso was on that show. Everybody looked forward to him putting on the mascot hat or whatever the little skit was going to be at the end.

"I just think as we're in this era of college football right now, where I think the popularity is bigger ... it's the most popular it's ever been, and as much as we're going through all of the turmoil of NIL and revenue sharing and conference realignment and transfer portal. It's the most popular college football has ever been, and I think a lot of that is due, and credit is due, to 'College GameDay,' and most notably, to Coach Corso."

Corso was a quarterback and cornerback for the Florida State Seminoles from 1953 to 1957, in addition to playing baseball. In 1958, he began his coaching career with the Seminoles as a graduate assistant before moving to Maryland and Navy through the 1960s. In 1969, Corso was the head coach at Louisville, then at Indiana from 1973 to 1982.

After a one-year stint at Northern Illinois in 1984 and one season in the USFL coaching the Orlando Renegades, Corso pivoted to the broadcast booth. In 1987, he was hired by ESPN to be an analyst for "College GameDay." There, he coined his signature catchphrase, "Not so fast, my friend!" and championed the program, which has won 15 Sports Emmy Awards.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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