Lee Corso would trade in some presumed nice weather and relaxing days to be picking up oversized mascot heads every Saturday like he did for 38 years.
“Lousy. I hate it,” the 90-year-old Corso told WESH in Florida of retirement. “I can’t watch ‘College GameDay.’ I can’t get used to it. I’m not working anymore. I used to fly all over. It sucks.”
It’s not surprising that Corso is not taking to retirement since college football and “College GameDay” were such an integral part of his life before his August retirement.
Corso had been with the show since its 1987 inception, and began his famous headgear segment in 1996 during a show at Ohio State.
His final show on Aug. 30 aired from Columbus, and he correctly picked the reigning champion Buckeyes to beat then-No. 1 Texas to finish 287-144 in his selections, per ESPN.
“My family and I will be forever indebted for the opportunity to be part of ESPN and College GameDay for nearly 40 years,” Corso said in a statement after ESPN announced his final show in April. “I have a treasure of many friends, fond memories and some unusual experiences to take with me into retirement.”
His final show this year provided tender moments for Corso and his colleagues to savor, with the former coach wearing a tuxedo for the occasion.
The “College GameDay” crew honored him by wearing headgear featuring Corso’s face, and ESPN aired a lengthy segment with fans, coaches, players and others thanking Corso for his legendary run.
Before he became a member of the media, Corso spent 15 years coaching Louisville (1969-72), Indiana (1973-82) and Northern Illinois (1984), compiling a 73-85-6 record.
He starred at Florida State in the 1950s, earning AP All-America honors in 1956 and entering the school’s Hall of Fame in 1978.
Corso held the school’s interceptions record for more than two decades.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
