Lee Corso's Final 'College GameDay' Headgear Pick Had Football World Choked Up

Corso's last show brought out all the feels.

Lee Corso chose the Buckeyes for his final headgear pick / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Lee Corso's incredible 38-year run on ESPN's College GameDay has come to a close.

His final show took place in Columbus, Ohio, where it all began, ahead of the big showdown between No. 1 Texas and No. 3 Ohio State Saturday. The 90-year-old college football legend chose the Buckeyes, throwing on a Brutus Buckeye mascot head before signing off for the final time. Although one last "not so fast" would have been electric, the Ohio State pick is a fitting one.

He chose the Buckeyes in his first-ever headgear pick before they beat Penn State in 1996. According to Cole's GameDay Blog, who tracks all of Corso's picks, he has went 286-144 in headgear selections for a 66.51% winning percentage.

Below is the full video of his final pick, which included an awesome tribute from the Ohio State marching band.

THANK YOU COACH CORSO 👏#CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/xPABB2dh9a

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 30, 2025

Football fans and personalities couldn't believe they will soon see a College GameDay world without Corso:

Crazy to think about it this way, but I’ve legitimately never known what college football looks like without Lee Corso. I’m 35 years old, and he’s been around for all of it. What an incredible institution he’s been for literally my entire lifetime and beyond.

— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) August 30, 2025

I don't care who you're a fan of. This was an incredible tribute to Lee Corso. Thanks for the memories ❤️. pic.twitter.com/B1vx7M79IO

— Scott Bell (@sbell021) August 30, 2025

The Lee Corso send off on @espn
Perfect.
Just.
Perfect.

— Ernie Johnson (@TurnerSportsEJ) August 30, 2025

In Coach Corso’s final headgear pick, he picks the Ohio State Buckeyes

It’s a full circle moment, as he chose Ohio State in his first ever headgear pick back in 1996

Thanks for everything, Coach 🐐 pic.twitter.com/tGFxzEg4KR

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) August 30, 2025

We love you Coach Corso, Go Bucks 🌰.

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 30, 2025

College football is built on tradition, and few have embodied that more than Lee Corso.

Thank you, Coach. pic.twitter.com/YiGdyze4Yo

— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) August 30, 2025

ESPN hit every note this morning on the Corso retirement. So very well done by them. Kudos to my Fox colleagues for airing that iconic moment. Lee Corso's impact on college football will never be replicated. pic.twitter.com/5nrDKjBc2l

— Kevin Kugler (@kevinkugler) August 30, 2025

Total class act by @FOXSports for honoring Lee Corso in the air like they did. Total class.

— Hondo Carpenter (@HondoCarpenter) August 30, 2025

All of the emotions. Extraordinary.

God bless Lee Corso.

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) August 30, 2025

All this Lee Corso tribute stuff has been tremendous. What an icon

— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) August 30, 2025

The Corso headgear pick was born out of authenticity. It grew into tradition.

In a sport that's losing more authenticity and more tradition by the year, it's really sad to see such a cornerstone say goodbye.

Thanks, Coach.

— David Ubben (@davidubben) August 30, 2025

College GameDay will travel to Norman, Okla., next week when No. 14 Michigan heads to play No. 18 Oklahoma. The next broadcast certainly won't be the same without Corso on the desk.

---

More College Football on Sports Illustrated

feed