1. Introduction: Who Is Lee Corso?
Lee Richard Corso, born August 7, 1935, in Cicero, Illinois, is an iconic American college football coach turned broadcaster. A former quarterback and defensive back at Florida State University, Corso carved his early identity in football before transitioning to coaching roles at Louisville, Indiana, and Northern Illinois, and even in the USFL with the Orlando Renegades. In 1987, he joined ESPN as a founding analyst of College GameDay, where he became known for his entertaining personality, signature catchphrase “Not so fast, my friend!”, and the beloved tradition of making mascot headgear picks.
2. Is Lee Corso Retiring (or Has He)?
Yes — Lee Corso officially announced his retirement from ESPN’s “College GameDay.” In April 2025, at age 89 (turning 90 on August 7), he confirmed his final appearance will be on August 30, 2025, marking the start of the college football season. Colleagues a nd fans gave heartfelt tributes, with Kirk Herbstreit calling him a “once-in-a-lifetime broadcaster” and ESPN planning special programming to honor his legacy.
3. Is He Still Alive — Health Status?
Yes — As of August 2025, Lee Corso is alive. He celebrated his 90th birthday in August 2025, shortly before his final broadcast.
Regarding health, Corso suffered a stroke in May 2009, which caused partial paralysis and impacted his ability to ad-lib. Since then, his appearances on College GameDay have been more scripted and less mobile. These health challenges contributed to his decision to retire, though he remained a beloved fixture until the very end.
4. Net Worth: How Wealthy Is Lee Corso?
Lee Corso’s estimated net worth as of 2025 ranges between $12 million and $13 million, depending on the source:
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$12 million is consistently reported by multiple outlets including Celebrity Net Worth, Biography Wallah, EssentiallySports, MadAboutCollegeSports, and The Educationist Hub.
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A slightly higher estimate of $13 million appears in Reality Tea’s coverage.
His wealth stems from decades-long broadcasting on ESPN, coaching earnings, endorsement deals, corporate roles (notably with Dixon Ticonderoga), and media appearances. Lee Corso retirement.
5. Young? (Background, Early Life, Education)
Though “young” doesn’t apply to him today, here’s a look at his early life and formative years:
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Born August 7, 1935, in Cicero, Illinois; moved to Miami at age 10.
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Star athlete at Miami Jackson Senior High — played quarterback and was also a standout baseball prospect, even drawing an offer from the Brooklyn Dodgers.
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Attended Florida State University (FSU), earning a bachelor’s (1957) and master’s (1958) in education fields. He played football and baseball at FSU and was a roommate of Burt Reynolds.
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His early coaching trajectory included roles at Maryland, Navy, Louisville, Indiana (with a Holiday Bowl appearance in 1979), NIU, and the Orlando Renegades.
6. Summary Table
| Topic | Status / Details |
|---|---|
| Retirement | Official — final appearance on August 30, 2025 |
| Alive | Yes — turned 90 in August 2025 |
| Health | Stroke in 2009; partial recovery; scripted appearances leading to retirement |
| Net Worth | Estimated $12M–$13M (2025) |
| Early Life | Born 1935; athlete in high school & college; later coach and broadcaster |
FAQs
Q1: Is Lee Corso retiring from College GameDay?
A: Yes, he announced his retirement in April 2025; his final episode is scheduled for August 30, 2025.
Q2: Is Lee Corso still alive?
A: Yes — as of his 90th birthday in August 2025, he is alive.
Q3: What is Lee Corso’s current health condition?
A: He suffered a stroke in May 2009 leading to partial paralysis and reduced ad-lib ability. His appearances became more scripted over time, and these factors contributed to his decision to retire.
Q4: What is Lee Corso’s net worth?
A: Estimates vary between $12 million and $13 million in 2025, derived from his long-time role on College GameDay, coaching, endorsements, business ventures, and other media income.
Q5: How old is Lee Corso?
A: He was born on August 7, 1935, and turned 90 in August 2025.
Q6: Who is Lee Corso?
A: A former college coach and legendary ESPN College GameDay analyst since 1987, celebrated for humor, mascot headgear picks, and unique personality. Lee Corso retirement.
Conclusion
Lee Corso’s nearly four-decade tenure on College GameDay is the stuff of legend. His retirement on August 30, 2025, marks the end of an indelible era in college football broadcasting. At 90, he remains a beloved figure — a master entertainer, coach, and broadcaster — whose health challenges never dimmed his influence or affection among fans. With an estimated net worth of $12–13 million, his legacy is both cultural and financially enduring.
