Lee Corso

Lee Corso (born 1936) , American sports broadcaster and football analyst. He is most famous for his work on ESPN's College GameDay program, where he predicts the outcomes of the day's upcoming college football games.

Corso was born in Orlando, Florida and attended Florida State University on a football and baseball scholarship, where he roomed with future Hollywood star Burt Reynolds. He earned accolades for his athletic prowess at center and being a punishing savage at middle backer. His speed on the field earned him the nickname Sunshine Scooter.

Upon graduating in 1959 with a degree in physical education, Corso became the quarterbacks coach at the University of Maryland under his former FSU coach Tommy Nugent. In 1969, he was given the head coaching position at the University of Louisville. After taking Louisville to only its second-ever bowl game in 1972, he was hired by Indiana University.

Corso's record was 41-68-2 over his ten years at Indiana, and in 1983 he became an announcer for the burgeoning United States Football League (USFL). After a brief stint as head coach at Northern Illinois University, Corso returned to the USFL - this time as a coach for the Orlando Renegades.

In 1987, Lee was hired by ESPN as an analyst for the College GameDay program. As of 2005, he is the only remaining original cast member. He plays the role of comic foil to co-hosts Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit, as they cover the major college football games from August until January. Corso's catch phrase: "Not so fast, my friend!", is usually directed at Kirk Herbstreit, in disagreement with Herbstreit's predictions. Corso is also known for ending every weekly show with his "Mascot Head Prediction," when he chooses who he thinks will win the game at Gameday's site by donning the headpiece of the school's mascot. Though he has a reputation for simply picking the home team, a notable exception occurred on November 18, 2006 when he picked Michigan to upset Ohio State at the Horseshoe in Columbus, Ohio. Corso claims his longest winning streak is 16 consecutive correct predictions.

Corso makes a brief cameo in a 2006 Nike commercial featuring the fictional Briscoe High School football team, portrayed by football icons such as Michael Vick, LaDainian Tomlinson, Brian Urlacher, Troy Polamalu, and coaches Don Shula, Jimmy Johnson, and Urban Meyer. Corso takes his hawk mascot head off while the game's deciding play unfolds in slow-motion. Corso also annually appears in EA Sports NCAA Football titles along with Kirk Herbstreit and play-by-play man Brad Nessler. The game begins with Corso making his mascot head prediction.

Awards and Honors

Member, Florida State University Hall of Fame
Member, University of Louisville Hall of Fame
Member, Florida Sports Hall of Fame

Preceded by Frank Camp	University of Louisville Head Football Coaches 1969-1972	Succeeded by T.W. Alley
Preceded by John Pont	Indiana University Head Football Coaches 1973-1982	Succeeded by Sam Wyche
Preceded by Bill Mallory	Northern Illinois University Head Football Coaches 1984	Succeeded by Jerry Pettibone

References

Michael Hiestand. "Penciled in for Variety". "USA Today". Retrieved October 19 2006.

External links