How sweet this is Lee Corso…From today’s final pick and his first ever headgear pick in 1996…he chose the Buckeyes and both times the Buckeyes were ranked number 3 and both times he was right! 431 head gear picks total.
Lee Corso is an American former college football coach and sports broadcaster, best known for his long tenure as an analyst on ESPN’s College GameDay program from its inception in 1987 until his retirement in August 2025. Born on August 7, 1935, in Cicero, Illinois, to Italian immigrant parents, Corso played college football and baseball at Florida State University (FSU), where he earned the nickname “Sunshine Scooter” for his speed and versatility. He starred on offense, defense, and special teams, leading the Seminoles in interceptions in 1954, rushing in 1955, and passing in 1956, while also playing outfield for the baseball team. He was named honorable mention All-American as a senior in 1956 and selected to play in the Blue-Gray All-Star game.
Corso began his coaching career as an assistant at FSU, Maryland, and Navy before becoming head coach at the University of Louisville from 1969 to 1972, where he compiled a 28–11–3 record and led the Cardinals to their first bowl appearance since 1958, the 1970 Pasadena Bowl. He then served as head coach at Indiana University from 1973 to 1982, guiding the Hoosiers to their first bowl victory in 75 years with a 38–37 win over Brigham Young in the 1979 Holiday Bowl, which earned them a final national ranking of 16th. His overall college coaching record across Louisville, Indiana, and Northern Illinois (where he coached in 1984) was 73–85–6. He also coached the Orlando Renegades of the United States Football League in 1985, posting a 5–13 record, and served as general manager of the Orlando Thunder in 1991.
After retiring from coaching, Corso joined ESPN in 1987 as a College GameDay analyst, becoming one of the show’s original and longest-serving personalities. He was renowned for his catchphrase “Not so fast, my friend!” and his signature headgear picks, where he would wear the mascot head of the team he predicted to win the game. He made his 431st and final headgear pick on August 30, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio, selecting Ohio State to defeat Texas, a game they won 14–7. His overall headgear pick record stood at 287–144 (.666). Corso also served as director of business development for Dixon Ticonderoga, a Florida-based pencil manufacturer, and was involved in various charitable efforts, including Coaches Curing Kids’ Cancer.
Corso’s legacy is deeply tied to Florida State University, where he remains a beloved figure and was inducted into the FSU Hall of Fame in 1978. He is recognized as a key figure in the early development of the FSU football program and is remembered as a charismatic and enduring presence in college football culture.
