The new ESPN special Not So Fast, My Friend: A Lee Corso Tribute will reunite some of the biggest names in college football to celebrate the iconic broadcaster. Some of the celebrities featured in the one-hour special include Arch Manning, Kirby Smart, Dabo Swinney, Steve Sarkisian, Drew Brees, Lane Kiffin, and Mike Tirico, who all pay tribute to Corso’s unrivaled legacy as the face of College GameDay.
Manning, who is gearing up to be the starting quarterback at Texas for the first time, shared his thoughts on Corso. He said:
“I think Coach is the ultimate mascot of college football.”
Not So Fast My Friends — A Lee Corso Special.
Friday, Aug. 22, 9 pm ET, ESPN. pic.twitter.com/cjVpDW0wWb
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 20, 2025
At the age of 89, Corso has come to be identified with the culture of the sport, developing from a player to a coach and then to a television presence that went beyond the broadcasting box.
The documentary will also touch on such key instances in his on-air life, which include his initial forecasts and his transition to a personality on the show. To many and Arch Manning, Corso seems to be as influential as the coaches and players who have been defining the modern era.
The tribute will air on Aug. 22 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Lee Corso’s Final GameDay Appearance Looms Large
Although the ESPN special emphasizes the life and career of Corso, it will soon shift into the next chapter of his life. After Corso sets out to film his final College GameDay broadcast on Aug. 30 in Columbus, as Ohio State faces Texas in the marquee season opener.
It will mark the final appearance of Corso, making his legendary headgear pick on air, which is the end of a tradition that has been enchanting fans of college football over the past 40 years.
To the present-day coaches such as Kirby Smart and Dabo Swinney, who both recorded tributes to the special, Corso’s retirement means the end of an era. They have both led their respective teams to national championships in the later years of Corso’s career.
As the 2025 season kicks off, the retirement of Corso at GameDay will likely be one of the most memorable events in recent football history.
Read More:
Nick Saban Has No Interest in Taking Over Lee Corso’s Iconic Mascot Head College GameDay Tradition
Lee Corso Retires at 89: Desmond Howard Shares Unforgettable College GameDay Story
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