Lee Corso family upset ESPN College GameDay did not choose Florida State for final show: 'It was disappointing'

Lee Corso will finish off his nearly four-decade stint with ESPN’s College GameDay at Ohio State, but not at Florida State like some wanted. Corso’s son said it was disappointing that the college football pregame show won’t be in Tallahassee to be on the campus of his alma mater.

Corso won’t do the full 2025 season on ESPN. The longtime analyst and former coach and quarterback will have his swan song to open the season, but do so at Ohio State.

While it might be fun to see Corso put on the Brutus headgear to pick Ohio State in the picks segment — one that he is iconic for — not seeing a headdress or anything Florida State related is a little bit of a bummer for others. Corso’s son, Dan, recently spoke out.

“As a family of Seminoles, yes, it was disappointing, but at the same time, it will be fun to watch his last GameDay and headgear in Columbus.” Dan Corso, Lee’s son, told the Tallahassee Democrat. “He was consistent with his love for FSU and the pageantry and tradition of college football, and on a weekly basis for 38 years, reminded everyone that college football is a great form of entertainment.”

Florida State has not hosted College GameDay since 2014, but there have been 36 appearances of the show on campus. FSU is 17-19 all-time with the show in attendance.

Lee Corso played quarterback and cornerback at Florida State from 1953-57 and was eventually a grad assistant in 1958 to begin his coaching career. He also played baseball for the Seminoles and was a roommate of football player and eventual actor Burt Reynolds. While playing for Florida State, Corso set the school record for most career interceptions with 14, a record that stood for more than two decades.

Earlier this summer, ESPN announced the 89-year-old Corso will formally sign off after a memorable and remarkable 38 years on ESPN’s College GameDay during the first show of the 2025 college football season. In addition to the show’s traditional pregame format, ESPN notes that it will also present special programming celebrating Corso in the days leading up to his final show. Corso turns 90 in August, making his run all the more impressive.

“My family and I will be forever indebted for the opportunity to be part of ESPN and College GameDay for nearly 40 years,” Corso said in a press release. “I have a treasure of many friends, fond memories and some unusual experiences to take with me into retirement.”

ESPN has already provided some moving tributes to Corso over the years. During the 2023 season, Lee Corso donned his 400th headgear. He has made a weekly tradition of putting on headgear for whatever team he picks to win the marquee game of the day.