Lee Corso

College Football Analyst    |    Photos 

Lee Corso

Lee Corso, one of college football’s most knowledgeable, opinionated and entertaining analysts, is a key member of ESPN’s college football team, serving as an analyst on the three-time Emmy-Award winning College GameDay, the network’s signature Saturday morning show originating from the site of one of the day’s best games. Corso, who joined ESPN in 1987 and is the only original College GameDay on-air personality (he was a contributor in 1987-88 and joined as an analyst in 1989), will celebrate his 25th season with the network this year. He joined ESPN after 28 years as a coach at the college and professional levels, including 17 seasons as a head coach. 

Corso was head coach at Louisville from 1969-72 and led the Cardinals to two Missouri Valley Conference titles and their first bowl game ever, the 1970 Pasadena Bowl. He then moved to Indiana in 1973 where spent 10 seasons as the head coach of the Hoosiers, leading the school to their first bowl victory in 75 years, a 38-37 decision over previously unbeaten Brigham Young in the 1979 Holiday Bowl.  He coached Northern Illinois in 1984 before taking over the reins of the Orlando Renegades of the United States Football League (USFL) in 1985 for one season. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach for 11 seasons (1958-68) at Florida State, Maryland and Navy. In addition, from January-July 1991, Corso served as General Manager of the World League's Orlando Thunder.  

Corso began his television career serving as an analyst on bowl games for Mizlou (1979-82) and USFL games for ABC (1983). He debuted on ESPN in 1987 as a game analyst, calling one season of Arena Football and two seasons of college football. Corso’s seasoned presence and insightful analysis on College GameDay have helped the show earn a huge following. The in-season Saturday morning show won a Sports Emmy in 2007, 2009 and 2010, and received nominations for Sports Emmys in 2000 and 2003 and for CableACE Awards in 1994, ’95 and ’97. In 2006, College GameDay received the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame’s Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award. 

Corso was honored with two prestigious awards in 2010: the US Sports Academy Ronald Reagan Media Award given to those who have made outstanding contributions to sport through broadcasting, print, photography or acting and the National College Football Awards Association Contributions to College Football Award recognizing exceptional contributions to college football and a lifetime of achievement and integrity. He will receive the 2011 Jake Wade Award presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution in the media to the field of intercollegiate athletics. 

As College GameDay’s national appeal has grown, Corso’s opinions, analysis and daring predictions have become one of the most anticipated in sports television. In 2001, Sporting News magazine selected Corso as the 17th most influential person in college football. The magazine in January 2004 ranked Corso and fellow GameDay hosts – Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit – as 2003’s “Most Powerful Media Personalities in Sports.” 

Corso received four varsity letters in both football and baseball at Florida State. He is a member of the Hall of Fame at Florida State and the University of Louisville. Corso was also inducted into the state of Florida Sports Hall of Fame in St. Petersburg.  In 2006, he received the Florida State Alumni Association’s Gold Medal, the highest alumni honor. 

A graduate of Florida State University, Corso earned a bachelor of arts degree in physical education and a master's degree in administration and supervision. Corso is director of business development for Dixon Ticonderoga, Heathrow, Fla., an international diversified manufacturer and marketer of writing and arts products.  

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