Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
College GameDay officially brought the Lee Corso Era to an end when the legendary co-host kicked off the season with his final appearance on the program a few weeks after celebrating his 90th birthday. His retirement was certainly well earned, but it doesn’t sound like he’s enjoying it based on what he had to say about his life in the wake of his departure.
Lee Corso spent 15 years as a head coach at the college level before pivoting to broadcasting when he became a founding member of the College GameDay panel after joining ESPN in 1987.
That chapter ended up spanning nearly 40 years, and Corso became one of the most beloved figures in college football with the sense of humor he injected into his analysis and, of course, the headgear ritual that capped off every installment of the program.
Over the past few years, it became increasingly difficult not to wonder if it was time for an aging Corso to call it quits due to a decline that was impossible to ignore. He missed multiple episodes due to health concerns, and while it was clear ESPN and his colleagues were doing everything in their power to support him, it seemed like it was only a matter of time until he called it quits.
He did exactly that after going out with a bang at the start of the season, as Corso nailed every single pick he made on what ended up being the most-watched College GameDay episode of all time. I’d love to tell you he’s having a blast in retirement, but that doesn’t really sound like it’s the case.
Lee Corso made it pretty clear he’s bummed about leaving College GameDay
Earlier this week, Corso joined Lou Holtz at the Orlando Touchdown Club for a sitdown where the two retired coaches got to chat about college football (the former picked Indiana, the team he coached for a decade starting in 1973, to win the national championship this year).
Daren Stoltzfus of WESH got the chance to chat with Corso outside the event and asked him about how things have been going since he left College GameDay, and he did not exactly receive the most uplifting reply.
I asked the legend Lee Corso what this season away from college football has been like.
“It sucks”
😂😂
No question – this guy can still light up a room. Incredible watching him and Lou Holtz tonight! pic.twitter.com/4GChVypKD1
— Daren Stoltzfus WESH (@DarenStoltzfus) November 25, 2025
Corso didn’t mince words while summing up how things have been going, saying:
“Lousy. I hate it. I can’t watch College GameDay. I just can’t get used to it. I’m not working anymore. I used to fly all over. It sucks.”
You could argue Corso was attempting to be playful, but I think it’s pretty clear he’s genuinely bummed about no longer being able to be part of a program where he played an integral role for close to four decades.