How Old Is Lee Corso? A Look at the Legend’s Age, Career Timeline, and More at ESPN

College GameDay doesn’t feel the same without Lee Corso at the desk. Corso’s been a part of the staple pregame show since its inception in 1993, but that was far from the start of his career in football.

With his return to College GameDay in 2024, folks are sure to wonder just how old the legendary broadcaster and college football is.

Lee Corso’s Age

Born in 1935, Corso turned 89 just before the start of the 2024 college football season. Corso celebrated his 89th birthday on August 7, just 24 days before his return to the College GameDay set on August 31 from College Station.

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His return to GameDay in his 89th year marked the 32nd season in which Corso graced the television sets of millions. Corso’s famous headgear picks are synonymous with pregame programming around the college football world, and his venerable voice echoes through so many famous moments for dozens of schools.

Saturday game days don’t truly get started until Corso makes his final pick right around noon Eastern.

Corso’s College Football Career

Corso didn’t start his career as a broadcaster, in fact, his career started on the very gridiron he now analyzes. Staring for Florida State back in the 50s, Corso played both quarterback and cornerback for the Seminoles from 1953-57.

He earned his nickname ‘Sunshine Scooter’ while at Florida State, notably due to his speed on the field. Corso set the Florida State record with 14 career interceptions, a record that stood for more than 20 years and still ranks among the top in FSU history.

Notable, Corso was roommates with Burt Reynolds while at FSU.

Earning multiple degrees while at Florida State, Corso parlayed his successful on-field career into a coaching role with the Seminoles in the fall of 1958 and never looked back.

Corco’s Coaching Career Includes Louisville, Indiana, Among Other Stops

Following a successful grad assistant role at FSU in 1958, Corso was hired by Maryland to coach the quarterbacks, a position he held until 1965, when he then coached his other position: defensive backs at Navy.

After three seasons at Navy, Corso got his first head coaching job with the Louisville Cardinals from 1969-72 before jumping to Indiana from 1973-1982. After 10 seasons with the Hoosiers, Corso spent one final season in college with Northern Illinois in 1984.

Corso finished his college career with a stint in professional football, coaching his hometown Orlando Renegades for the 1985 season, a member of the United States Football League. He was slated to return, but the USFL ceased operations in 1986.

As a college coach, Corso compiled a 73-85-6 record. Here’s how his career in college finished:

1958: Florida State (GA)
1959-65: Maryland (QB)
1966-68: Navy (DB)
1969-72: Louisville (head coach)
1973-82: Indiana (head coach)
1984: Northern Illinois (head coach)

Corso Joins ESPN

Hired in 1987 by ESPN, it was in 1993 that Corso made his debut on the new program: College GameDay. Alongside Kirk Herbstreit from the beginning, the duo has provided valuable analysis, commentary, and much more to millions of fans for over 30 seasons since.

He also appeared in EA Sports’ popular college football video game up until the 2011 season.

Outside of ESPN’s College GameDay, Corso lives a quiet life in Lake Mary, Florida, and has been married to his wife, Betsy, since 1957.

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