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Ohio State is going to play a key part in making ESPN’s Lee Corso’s last ride a special one

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ian Valentino | Last updated Jun 10, 2025 4:51 PM ET

Legendary ESPN analyst Lee Corso is retiring this coming fall, but not before he's in Columbus one final time with College Gameday. After donning Brutus the Buckeye's headgear 45 times throughout his career, the network announced that Corso's last show will be in the Horseshoe when the Buckeyes take on the Texas Longhorns on August 30.

Most recently, Corso picked against the Buckeyes in the 2025 National Championship against Notre Dame.

Last season, College GameDay covered Ohio State games five times, more than any other school. Corso has backed the Buckeyes on four of those occasions, including both matchups against Oregon, as well as games against Penn State and Tennessee.

The only time he didn’t choose Ohio State was when he picked Indiana, a nod to his 10-year coaching tenure with the Hoosiers from 1973 to 1982.

Historically, when Corso picks Ohio State, they have a record of 30-15.

For legendary analyst Lee Corso's final show, @CollegeGameDay will start the 2025 #CFB season at Ohio State. pic.twitter.com/DvneQUjcT0
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 10, 2025

Corso, born August 7, 1935, in Cicero, Illinois, carved a remarkable path in football as both a player and coach before becoming a beloved broadcaster. A standout athlete at Florida State University (1953–1956), Corso played quarterback and defensive back, setting a school record with 14 career interceptions.

His speed and versatility earned him All-Southern Conference honors. After college, he was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1957 but never played in the NFL.

Corso’s coaching career spanned over two decades, beginning as an assistant at Maryland and Florida State. He served as head coach at Louisville (1969–1972), leading the team to its second bowl game, and at Indiana (1973–1982), where he compiled a 41–68–2 record.

His final coaching stint was at Northern Illinois in 1984. Corso’s innovative strategies and charismatic leadership left a lasting impact.

In 1987, Corso joined ESPN’s College GameDay, becoming a fan favorite for his colorful personality and headgear picks, where he dons mascot headgear to predict game outcomes.

His catchphrase, “Not so fast, my friend!” became iconic. Corso’s deep football knowledge, humor, and chemistry with co-hosts like Kirk Herbstreit cemented his status as a broadcasting legend. Despite a stroke in 2009, he continued appearing on GameDay, earning multiple Sports Emmy nominations.

Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a contributor in 2010, Corso’s 60-year career remains a cornerstone of college football culture.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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