Lee Corso made his final appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay as the iconic show launched its first full Saturday of the season—and the entire college football world, even FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff, paused to honor the moment. All eyes were on “Coach” as he took his final bow.
During the broadcast, ESPN cut to a live interview with Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, who was walking the field at Ohio Stadium before his team’s showdown with the Buckeyes. Naturally, he was asked to reflect on Corso’s legacy.
Sarkisian didn’t hold back in his praise, crediting Corso as a cornerstone in the rise of college football’s national popularity.
"We wouldn't be where we are today, in the state of college football without you."
Steve Sarkisian on what Coach Corso means to college football 🧡 pic.twitter.com/d70L9OTlYS
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 30, 2025
“The popularity and the expansion for college football to grow—that wouldn’t have happened without Lee Corso,” Sarkisian said. “Coach Corso, thank you very much for all that you’ve done for our sport. I love you, man. We wouldn’t be where we are today, in the state of college football, without you.”
Corso began his run on College GameDay in 1987 and started his now-legendary headgear picks in 1996. Fittingly, his first-ever mascot pick happened in Columbus, Ohio—the same place where his final appearance played out, choosing between Hook ‘Em and Brutus one last time.
At the close of Corso’s final College GameDay appearance, he made one last iconic headgear pick—choosing between the Buckeyes and the Longhorns—bringing an end to a legendary 40-year career that featured an incredible 432 game-day selections.
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