Former Penn State head coach reflects on Lee Corso’s impact on college football

Douglas Santo

Former Penn State head coach reflects on Lee Corso’s impact on college football image

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

ESPN's Lee Corso will make his final appearance on "College GameDay" this weekend in what will be an emotional farewell. Corso's been a part of the Saturday pregame show since its inception in 1987.

The beloved analyst has spent decades bringing joy and laughs to college football fans across the world on Saturday mornings with his famous headgear picks.

Former Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien spoke with the media on Thursday morning ahead of Boston College's season opener, and opened up about Corso's impact on college football.

Bill O'Brien Reflects on Lee Corso's Journey

O'Brien coached at Penn State for two years in 2012 and 2013, and has been in college football for more than 20 years. The seasoned head coach has watched Corso's impact on the game throughout his journey.

"You know, he's one of the giants of college football, and it's one of those amazing stories," O'Brien said. "He was a really good coach, right? Florida State, Indiana, all that, you know, he was a really good coach. But where he really made his mark was making college football so much fun to watch because of the College Game Day show, which that show has just been incredible."

O'Brien's teams throughout his coaching career have been a part of the College GameDay show many times, and he's seen the impact it makes on a college campus.

"He's one of the main guys on that show, you know, picking the big game winner at the end. "His knowledge of football, his energy, the way that he delivers his love of college football," O'Brien said. "I think, it's just going to be irreplaceable. He's been a big part of college football, no doubt about it."

Corso's impact on the game will always be remembered. His analysis, knowledge and energy for the game is unmatched, but the joy and laughter he brings fans might be the best part of the former college coach and quarterback.

Corso will make his final appearance on ESPN's "College GameDay" on Saturday in Columbus when No. 3 Ohio State welcomes No. 1 Texas.

Douglas Santo

Douglas Santo is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. As a senior at Arizona State University, he will complete his B.A. in sports journalism with a minor in business in December 2025. Before his time with Sporting News, Douglas covered the NFL and MLB for Athlon Sports and contributed as a digital reporter for Arizona PBS/Cronkite News. He is also the head of Sun Devil Daily, managing all content produced about Arizona State Sports.