Lee Corso facts for kids
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Corso in 2024
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| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 7, 1935 Cicero, Illinois, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1953–1957 | Florida State |
| Position(s) | Quarterback, cornerback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1958 | Florida State (GA) |
| 1959–1965 | Maryland (QB) |
| 1966–1968 | Navy (DB) |
| 1969–1972 | Louisville |
| 1973–1982 | Indiana |
| 1984 | Northern Illinois |
| 1985 | Orlando Renegades |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 73–85–6 (college) 5–13 (USFL) |
| Bowls | 1–0–1 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 2 MVC (1970, 1972) | |
Lee Richard Corso (born August 7, 1935) is a well-known American sports broadcaster and former college football coach. He is famous for being an analyst on ESPN's College GameDay show since it first started in 1987.
Corso was the head football coach at the University of Louisville from 1969 to 1972. He also coached at Indiana University Bloomington from 1973 to 1982. Later, he coached at Northern Illinois University in 1984. His total college coaching record was 73 wins, 85 losses, and 6 ties. In 1985, he coached the Orlando Renegades in the United States Football League, where his team had 5 wins and 13 losses.
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Lee Corso's Early Life and Playing Days
Lee Corso's parents, Alessandro and Irma, came to the United States from Italy. His father left Italy when he was 15 during World War I. Alessandro worked hard laying terrazzo floors his whole life. His mother worked in school cafeterias.
Corso was born in Cicero, Illinois, on August 7, 1935. When he was 10, his family moved to Miami. He went to Miami Jackson Senior High School, where he played quarterback on the football team. He was also a talented baseball player. The Brooklyn Dodgers even offered him $5,000 to play shortstop for them.
Playing Football at Florida State
Corso chose to go to college instead of playing professional baseball. He played both football and baseball at Florida State University (FSU). While at FSU, he shared a room with future actor Burt Reynolds and future University of Miami baseball coach Ron Fraser.
Corso earned the nickname "Sunshine Scooter" because he was so fast on the football field. As a defensive player, he set a school record with 14 career interceptions. This record stood for over 20 years! He was also part of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. In 1956, he was the starting quarterback for the South team in the Blue Gray Game, though his team lost.
Corso earned his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1957. He then got his master's degree in administration and supervision in 1958.
Lee Corso's Coaching Career
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After college, Corso started his coaching career. He became the quarterbacks coach at Maryland. His former FSU coach, Tommy Nugent, was the head coach there. In 1962, Corso helped recruit Darryl Hill to Maryland. Hill became the first African-American football player in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
In 1966, Corso became the defensive backs coach at Navy. Then, in 1969, he became the head coach at Louisville. There, he coached Tom Jackson, who later became his colleague at ESPN. Corso led Louisville to one of its few bowl games in 1970.
Coaching at Indiana University
In 1972, Corso was hired to coach at Indiana University. He coached the Hoosiers from 1973 to 1982. During his time there, Indiana had two winning seasons in 1979 and 1980. The 1979 team finished with a 7–4 record and played in the 1979 Holiday Bowl. They beat the previously undefeated BYU Cougars in that game. This win helped Indiana reach 16th in the UPI poll, which was their first top-20 ranking since 1967.
Corso was known for some memorable moments. In a 1976 game, his team scored a touchdown early in the second quarter against Ohio State. Corso called a timeout so the team could take a photo with the scoreboard. It showed Indiana leading Ohio State 7–6, which was the first time in 25 years Indiana had led them! However, Ohio State ended up winning that game 47–7. After ten years at Indiana, Corso was let go. His record there was 41 wins, 68 losses, and 2 ties.
Later Coaching Roles
Corso then became the head football coach at Northern Illinois University in 1984. In his only season there, his team had 4 wins, 6 losses, and 1 tie.
After Northern Illinois, Corso coached professional football for the Orlando Renegades in the United States Football League (USFL) in 1985. The league stopped playing before the 1986 season, so Corso's time with the Renegades ended.
Lee Corso's Broadcasting Career
In 1987, Lee Corso joined ESPN as an analyst for College GameDay. Since 1993, the show has traveled to the location of a big college football game each week. Corso is known for his funny personality on the show. He often jokes around with co-hosts like Kirk Herbstreit.
Famous Catchphrases and Traditions
Corso's famous phrase is "Not so fast, my friend!" He usually says this to Herbstreit when he disagrees with his predictions. He also often calls everyone "sweetheart."
He is most famous for his mascot headgear prediction at the end of each show. He picks the winner of the game at the GameDay location by putting on the mascot head of the team he thinks will win. This tradition started on October 5, 1996, before an Ohio State-Penn State game. He put on the "Brutus Buckeye" mascot head to show his pick.
Corso made his 250th headgear pick in 2014, choosing TCU's Super Frog. His 400th pick was Colorado's Chip the Buffalo in 2023. As of December 9, 2024, teams Corso picked have won 284 times and lost 142 times. This means his picks have been right about 66.67% of the time.
On April 17, 2025, Corso announced he was retiring from broadcasting. His last appearance was planned for August 30, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio.
Other Media Appearances
Corso made a short appearance in a 2006 Nike commercial. It featured famous football players and coaches. Corso took off his hawk mascot head as a key play happened in slow motion.
He also appeared in EA Sports' NCAA Football video games until NCAA Football 11. In the games from 2006 to 2011, there was a pre-show where Corso made his mascot headgear prediction. If a team didn't have a mascot, he would wear their helmet instead. Players could also choose "Ask Corso" for advice during the game.
Other Work and Personal Life
During the off-season, Corso works as the Director of Business Development for Dixon Ticonderoga. This company makes writing and art supplies, including the No. 2 pencils he always holds on College GameDay. In 2001, Corso helped create a crayon made entirely from soybeans.
Corso is the honorary chairman of Coaches Curing Kids' Cancer. This charity raises money for research into childhood cancer through youth sports teams. He received an award in 2010 for his great contributions to college football. Corso also grew up attending his local Boys' Club and is in their Alumni Hall of Fame.
Health and Family
On May 16, 2009, Corso had a stroke at his home in Florida. He had partial paralysis and spent time in the hospital and then in rehabilitation. He was able to return to College GameDay for the 2009 season. The stroke affected his speech for a month, but he recovered well. Since then, he has needed to prepare and practice his appearances on the show more carefully.
While at Florida State, Corso was roommates and teammates with actor Burt Reynolds. They remained close friends until Reynolds passed away in 2018.
Corso has been married to his wife, Betsy, since 1957. They have four children and 10 grandchildren.
Images for kids
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Corso in 2024
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Corso, around 1961
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Corso in 2014
