After nearly 30 years on ESPN's "College GameDay" (and many more decades around college football at large), legendary analyst Lee Corso made his final headgear pick Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.
Corso, a former coach at Louisville, Indiana and Northern Illinois, rose to icon status in college football for his antics on "GameDay," which debuted in September 1987. As the show moved to a weekly on-campus setting, the onetime Florida State standout established a tradition of picking the victor of a given week's host game by putting on the team's mascot head -- or other equivalent costume.
Depending on a show's location, Corso would judge dogs, imitate Founding Fathers and ride motorcycles, with one constant mission: making each "GameDay" an adventure.
Ultimately, Corso opted to go full circle for his final pick and don Brutus for a record-extending 32nd time. But his last pick was merely the culmination of an emotional three-hour farewell show. Here are all the sights and sounds from the illustrious analyst's final "GameDay":
Corso's final headgear pick brings things full circle
"Give me my first love!"
Lee Corso's first-ever headgear pick belonged to Brutus and the Buckeyes and it's only fitting that his last one is the same ❤️ pic.twitter.com/A8Fgj8b3TR
Ohio State's band pays tribute
"The Best Damn Band in the Land" spelling out Coach Corso's name 🥹 pic.twitter.com/hDR4KjwJji
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 30, 2025Corso meets his collectible
Lee Corso sees his collectible for the first time 🧡 https://t.co/a9B999yLSu pic.twitter.com/lgjRFbz3yr
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 30, 2025The cast tells Corso what he means to them
The College GameDay crew will never run out of ways to tell Coach Corso how much he means to them 🥹👏 pic.twitter.com/azxTgZzZlr
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 30, 2025Corso's final 'GameDay' comes with a $250,000 kick
THE FIRST KICK OF THE SEASON IS PERFECT FOR $250K 🎯 pic.twitter.com/rWN04MZtXw
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 30, 2025An 85lb cake arrives on set
AN 85 LB CAKE FOR COACH 😱 pic.twitter.com/ZLqRGjWsQg
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 30, 2025Steve Sarkisian salutes Corso
"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
The cast dons their own Corso headgear
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 30, 2025Fans coming from far and wide to see Corso's final show
They drove 12+ hours to watch Coach Corso's last show 😳 pic.twitter.com/elwSAxYLng
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 30, 2025The College Football Playoff Foundation donates to Corso's high school alma mater
As a tribute to Coach Corso's legacy and to support education in a city that is deeply connected to his story, the College Football Playoff Foundation is making a donation towards school resources to Miami Jackson Senior High School, Lee Corso's alma mater 👏 pic.twitter.com/UlSAVZFlfj
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 30, 2025Former 'GameDay' host Chris Fowler honors Corso
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 30, 2025Ryan Day drops by to gift Corso a customized Ohio State helmet
National champion 🤝 national icon
Ohio State coach Ryan Day brought Coach Corso a specialty helmet to celebrate his final show ❤️ pic.twitter.com/aUrjkyz41H
Corso makes his national title pick
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 30, 2025'We love Lee' chants from the crowd
The crowd at GameDay cheering for Coach 🧡 pic.twitter.com/5FWy9Lpvyj
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 30, 2025Rece Davis' monologue (and a huge banner) sets the scene
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 30, 2025Kirk Herbstreit's jacket honors Corso
The inside of @KirkHerbstreit's jacket is 🔥 pic.twitter.com/j6OsmD9u5o
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 30, 2025Corso dressed to impress with a tuxedo
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) August 30, 2025Supportive signs in Columbus
Can't wait to celebrate Coach Corso all day long 🧡 pic.twitter.com/li5dltmPhR
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 30, 2025A packed crowd is ready
Up and at 'em. @CollegeGameDay | #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/Jbn8RZTTvN
— Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰 (@OhioStAthletics) August 30, 2025The numbers behind Corso's headgear picks
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 29, 2025Coach Corso is honored at the airport
The numbers behind Lee Corso's headgear picks 👀 pic.twitter.com/CwAnp7rvE9
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 29, 2025An emotional tribute video from fans and stars
From colleagues, to guest pickers, fans and beyond, those around the college football community share what Lee Corso means to them.
We love you, Coach 🧡 pic.twitter.com/jFgiANfVlu
Inside one of Corso's most viral moments
The tale of the iconic "Ah, f--- it," moment 🤣 pic.twitter.com/1PDD9jw9W7
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 23, 2025
