If you’re an NFL fan and an avid ESPN viewer, the name Lee Corso will be familiar to you. Corso is an American sportscaster and analyst for ESPN’s weekly program College GameDay since the program’s inception in 1987. He is also a former head football coach.
He is well-known for his comedic antics, mascot headgear selections, and catchphrase, “Not so fast, my friend.”
As A Broadcaster, Lee Corso
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At 85, one of the most devoted broadcasters is still going strong and is the show’s sole original contributor.
Not to mention that the former footballer has been with ESPN for over 30 years and shows no signs of slowing down.
ESPN even signed Corso to a multi-year contract extension to stay on College GameDay in 2017, stating that they couldn’t imagine the show without him and are fortunate to call him their own.
When he was in his teens as a quarterback, the Brooklyn Dodgers offered him a contract to play for them.
Rather than attend Florida State University, he chose to attend college and play football.
Let’s take a deep dive into the education, career, life, and family of the legendary college coach and host of the eight-time Emmy Award-winning show.
Net worth:
Lee Corso the former head football coach has a net worth of 12 million$.
Corso, Lee | Childhood, Family, And Education
Corso is the son of Italian immigrants Alessandro Corso and Irma Corso. His father left Italy when he was fifteen years old.
Additionally, the former head coach’s parents were illiterate and worked in low-wage jobs. While Alessandro was laying terrazzo flooring, Irma was working in school cafeterias.
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On August 7, 1935, the former quarterback was born in Maryland, Florida. Additionally, he graduated from Miami Jackson Senior High and earned a degree in physical education from Florida State University.
He later earned a degree in Administration and Supervision as well.
Career as a Player
The former head coach began his football career as a quarterback for Miami Jackson and later played for Florida State University.
Additionally, he played baseball, but his primary interest was always football. Subsequently, he declined the Brooklyn Dodgers’ $5000 signing bonus.
His teammates dubbed the sports analyst “Sunshine Scooter” due to his incredible speed on the football field. Additionally, Lee held the defensive player record for the most interceptions, 14, for two decades.
Career in Coaching
An Assistant Coach’s Early Career
The broadcaster began his coaching career as an assistant coach for Tommy Nugent, his former Florida State University coach.
Corso recruited Darryl Hill, a person of color, and convinced him to play for the Maryland Terrapins, with the encouragement of his coach.
Hill went on to become the Atlantic Coast Conference’s first African American player. Similarly, he went on to establish two records that remain in place to this day.
Coaching Career Opportunities in Louisville
In 1966, the 85-year-old went on to coach for the Navy. In 1969, he was offered the head coaching position at Louisville.
The former football player was the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals, where he also coached ESPN’s Tom Jackson.
Jackson, a former Miami player, led the Cardinals to their second bowl appearance in 1970 and eventually left to join Indiana, where he led the Hoosiers to a winning record. Louisville finished 18th in the final Associated Press poll.
Coaching Career Opportunities in Indiana
Corso was hired by Indiana in 1972. The Italian-American eventually led the Indiana Hoosiers to two championships in 1979 and 1980.
The Hoosiers finished 7-4 and qualified for the 1979 Holiday Bowl, where they defeated the previously undefeated Brigham Young Cougars.
Indiana’s victory vaulted the Hoosiers to the 16th position in the United Press International (UPI) poll. This was their first Top-20 finish since 1967.
Indiana scored a touchdown in the first quarter of its 1976 season opener against Ohio, marking the first time in 25 years that the Hoosiers led the Buckeyes in a game.
Corso even called a timeout to take a team photo against the backdrop of the 7-6 scoreboard.
In more than a decade in Indiana, his overall record was 41-68-2. In general, the former Miami Jackson player excelled during his tenure with Indiana.
Coaching Career in Northern Illinois and the United States Football League
He then became the coach of the Northern Illinois University’s Illinois Huskies. Additionally, he became the college’s sixteenth head coach.
He coached the Huskies for one season, however, and was unable to replicate the seasons of Louisville and Indiana.
He began coaching professionally in 1985 with the Orlando Renegades in the United States Football League (USFL). However, the league was postponed and ultimately canceled in 1986.
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Achievements and Recognition
In 2010, the father of four was presented with the National College Football Awards Association’s Contributions to College Football Award in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to college football.
Additionally, he organized two Missouri Valley conferences (MVCs) in 1970 and 1972.
Careers in Broadcasting and Others
In 1987, ESPN hired the former head coach as a sports analyst for their weekly program College GameDay. He has been a host on the show since its inception.
The show garnered widespread acclaim and affection from fans worldwide.
Lee is well-known for his antics on-air with co-hosts Desmond Howard, Rece Davis, and Kirk Herbstreit.
Similarly, he is equally famous for his catchphrase, “Not so fast, my friend,” which is usually directed at his co-host Kirk’s predictions.
From August to January, Corso wears the mascot headgear of the team he believes will win on a weekly basis.
Additionally, he appeared annually in EA sport’s NCAA football titles alongside Kirk Herbstreit and Brad Nessler. Due to the increasing demand and popularity of his headgear prediction, he began the 2006 edition with it.
Generosity
The sports analyst works for Coaches Curing Kid’s Cancer, a charity that raises money to fight pediatric cancer in children. Lee serves as the charity’s honorary chairman.
Lee Corso | Husband, Children, and Grandchildren
Corso and his wife, Betsy Corso, have been married for more than 60 years. There is little information available, but the two were reportedly high school or college sweethearts.
The couple married in 1957 and are still happily married sixty years later.
Together, the couple has four children and ten grandchildren. The broadcaster has kept his children and wife out of the public eye and is a family man.
Lee Corso | Life, Health, and Stroke
Corso died of a stroke in his Florida home on May 16, 2009, at the age of 73. The former coach was hospitalized for three days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Even so, he remained in the hospital for an additional week before being discharged.
He was partially paralyzed on his right side as a result of the stroke, necessitating lengthy rehabilitation.
Additionally, he was unable to speak for a month and his cognitive functions such as reasoning, problem-solving, and learning were severely impaired and slowed.
Despite the stroke, he continued in his beloved job, hosting the 2009 season of College GameDay.
His speech recovered gradually but steadily with therapy and rehabilitation; however, there are few noticeable differences.
He has since rehearsed all scripts and appearances on the show to ensure he delivers them appropriately.
The 85-year-old analyst appears to be doing well in his new job at ESPN. He appears to be having more fun than ever.
Lee Corso | The Natural World And Its Legacy
Corso is a devoted and appreciative individual who is equally diligent and persistent on television as he was as a coach. Additionally, “Sunshine Scooter” is one of the best defensive backs available at Florida State University and in the sports world.
The former athlete’s unwavering devotion to and respect for the game is the reason he is still alive and working.
Despite some setbacks in his career and health, he remains passionate about the game and is willing to fight against all odds to be a part of it.
The former head coach has refused to let his stroke deter him from doing what he does. Additionally, he enjoys a high level of popularity among fans, the media, and coworkers.
Lee Corso – Retiring
The man is already in his mid-late 80s and appears to be in peak physical condition on screen. He possesses the ability, charisma, and magic necessary to pull it off. However, many people are desperate to see Corso retire.
It could have been out of concern for the old man’s health or a desire to see a new face enliven the show.
Everybody is aware of the Covid-19 pandemic, and ESPN made a wise choice in this regard. They chose to keep Corso at home due to his advanced age and potential health risks.
The public opinion is that ESPN should maintain their decision by keeping Corso at home until the pandemic passes.
On the Spotlight: Lee Corso
Corso was heard saying “Ah Fuck it” during a College GameDay episode. Corso’s unafraid attitude and lack of hesitation won over the audience.
ESPN, on the other hand, did not take it well. Corso was compelled to apologize for his error. I used an expletive on College GameDay earlier today. I apologize and assure you that this will not happen again,” he stated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lee Corso
Is Lee Corso suffering from a stroke?
On May 16, 2009, the former athlete suffered a stroke, severely impairing his speech and cognitive function.
Is Lee Corso still in attendance on game day?
Yes, Lee Corso will continue to host College GameDay in 2020 and has no plans to retire or leave the show anytime soon.
What is Lee Corso’s relationship with the pencil all about?
Lee Corso is accustomed to holding a Dixon-Ticonderoga Number 2 pencil. He is frequently photographed with it while educating reporters.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Lee Corso |
| Birth Date | August 7, 1935 |
| Birth Place | Lake Mary, Florida |
| Nick Name | Sunshine Scooter |
| Religion | Christian |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Father’s Name | Alessandro Corso |
| Mother’s Name | Irma Corso |
| Siblings | None |
| Age | 85 (as of February 2021) |
| Height | Not Available |
| Weight | Not Available |
| Shoe Size | Not Available |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Body Measurement | Not Available |
| Build | Not Available |
| Married | Yes |
| Girlfriend | No |
| Children | Four |
| Profession | Commentator, Coach |
| Position | Sports Analyst |
| Net Worth | $12 million |
| Affiliation | ESPN |
| Former | Head Football Coach |
| Social media | None |
| Merch | Autograph, Football Cards |
| Last Update | 2021 |
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