The early morning hours before College GameDay aren’t just prep time for Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso. They’re sacred moments between a mentor and his protégé, a tradition about to end forever. As Corso prepares for his final broadcast Saturday, these quiet conversations represent nearly three decades of Saturdays, stories, and a bond that grew stronger than anyone expected.
How Did Lee Corso Build His College Football Legacy?
Lee Corso has been synonymous with college football for nearly 40 years, appearing on ESPN’s College GameDay since its inception in 1987. His involvement with the sport goes all the way back to 1953, when he played football and baseball for the Florida State Seminoles, even earning himself the nickname “Sunshine Scooter.”
After taking assistant coaching jobs at Florida State, Maryland and Navy, Corso served as head coach of Louisville (1969-1972) and Indiana (1973-1982), followed by one-season stops with Northern Illinois (1984) and the Orlando Renegades of the USFL (1985).
When Corso started on GameDay in 1987, he was joined by Beano Cook with Tim Brando as host. The show found its true identity in 1993, transforming into what we know it as today by taking the show on the road to South Bend, Indiana, where the second-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat the top-ranked Seminoles 31-24 in what was built as the “Game of the Century.”
GameDay has gone through many transformations with several analysts and multiple hosts, including Chris Fowler and current host Rece Davis. Through it all, Corso has been there every step of the way, aside from some health-related absences. Corso will be on his final broadcast Saturday live from Columbus, Ohio, where the third-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes will play host to the top-ranked Texas Longhorns in a rematch of last year’s Semi-Final game won by the eventual National Champion Buckeyes.
What Tradition Do Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso Share Before Each Show?
Former Ohio State quarterback Kirk Herbstreit joined the show in 1996, beginning a partnership that would define both men’s careers.
“In the early morning moments before @CollegeGameDay, LC and I have a tradition,” Herbstreit tweeted. “We tell stories, we share laughs and we connect. It’s been such a special part of GameDay that I have loved sharing with you all and will miss so much.”
In the early morning moments before @CollegeGameDay, LC and I have a tradition.
We tell stories, we share laughs and we connect. It’s been such a special part of GameDay that I have loved sharing with you all and will miss so much. pic.twitter.com/Zm6GZEY4js
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) August 30, 2025
“For nearly three decades, I’ve shared Saturdays with Lee Corso,” Herbstreit said. “When I started I was just 25 years old.”
Herbstreit has referred to Corso not only as a friend but as a mentor as well. The relationship began with Corso guiding a young analyst through the complexities of television, but evolved into something deeper.
“So my mentor, he coached me up,” Herbstreit revealed. “Now in these early morning moments before the show, the calm before the showtime storm, we connect. We tell stories. We smile and we laugh.”
The two have obviously grown very close over the years. Herbstreit has seemed protective of Corso as he has aged, much like Corso was of Herbstreit when he started out as a young analyst navigating his first years on television.
“Over the years as the show has grown, it’s our bond that has grown strongest of all,” Herbstreit explained. “He’s like a second father and not just to me, to all of us.”
These quiet moments before the cameras roll have become the foundation of their relationship. While fans see the on-air chemistry and banter, these private conversations reveal the actual depth of their connection.
“Yes, I’ll miss those moments but more than that, I’ll miss Saturdays with my coach.”
Won’t we all, Kirk.
