Tipping Our Hat (or Mascot Head) to Lee Corso and the Power of the Right People

Not so fast. Let’s slow this down and enjoy this moment. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: we find great lessons, inspirations and stories in the world of sports here at ECLARO. Today the source is the college football stage…or, more accurately, the stage that sets the stage for college football, which will never be quite the same. On August 30, fans everywhere—and yes, we’re fans here at ECLARO—are saying goodbye to one of the sport’s most beloved personalities: Lee Corso.

The legendary coach and broadcaster is retiring after an extraordinary career spanning coaching sidelines, studio desks and nearly four decades as the heart of ESPN’s College GameDay. As the sight and sounds from his final day demonstrate, he will be missed, but never forgotten.

Corso leaves behind more than highlight reels and headgear picks. He leaves a legacy built on leadership, authenticity and joy that was infectious. His story is not only about football, but about people—their power to inspire, to connect, to create lasting impact. In every phase, Corso has embodied our belief that the Right People are the Answer.

A Coach Who Believed in People First

Before becoming a household name on Saturday mornings, Corso built his career on the sidelines. He coached at Louisville, Indiana and Northern Illinois, and even took a turn leading the Orlando Renegades in the short-lived USFL.

His coaching record had ups and downs—like anyone in leadership—but his players consistently described him as passionate, approachable and motivating. Corso’s teams didn’t just remember his plays—they remembered his presence. He was a coach who knew that success wasn’t only about the X’s and O’s, it was about the people taking them from the playbook and putting them into action.

That belief—that people drive outcomes—is the same principle that guides everything we do. Corso recognized that the right players elevate a team. The Right People transform organizations.

Nearly Four Decades of Saturday Mornings

In 1987, Corso joined a fledgling program on ESPN called College GameDay. At the time, no one could have predicted it would become the cultural institution that it is today. And no one could have predicted how central Corso would be to its rise.

For almost 40 years, he brought energy, humor and perspective to the show. Fans tuned in and turned out in droves on campuses across the country not just for analysis, but for Corso himself—for his wisdom, his warmth and, of course, that famous catchphrase: “Not so fast, my friend” and the ever-present No. 2 Dixon Ticonderoga pencil.

And who can forget the headgear picks? In 1996, Corso first donned a mascot head to make his game prediction—a tradition that grew into a national phenomenon. (Up to his last show, he wore 69 different mascots and compiled a record of 286–144 in his picks.)

That ritual became more than entertainment. It was a weekly reminder that work can be joyful, that personality matters, and that authenticity creates connection. The Right People in the right role don’t just do the job—they elevate it.

Why This Matters to Business Leaders and Team Builders

You might be asking at this point, what does a retiring broadcaster have to do with building a business or running a team?

Everything.

Because whether you’re running a football program, a television show or a growing company, the same truth applies: the Right People are the Answer.

Lee Corso wasn’t the only analyst on GameDay. He wasn’t the only coach on the sidelines. He was always part of a team. But he was the right person in the right role on the right team, and because of that, he transformed and elevated everyone around him. And he did it like nobody else.

For businesses everywhere, no matter your industry or your size, this is a reminder: the Right People are not interchangeable. The right person can elevate a role, a team and an entire organization. The right hire can redefine what’s possible for your business.

Post-Game

We’re all going to have to adjust to college football Saturdays without Corso’s headgear picks, but we can always celebrate not only a legendary career but the principles he embodied.

• Be authentic. Fans loved Corso because he was himself—funny, passionate, sometimes unpredictable, but always genuine. In leadership and in business, authenticity builds trust.
• Value connection. Corso connected with players, colleagues, crowds and millions of viewers. He reminds us that success is about relationships, and that the best relationships grow stronger over time. We love the concept that success can be measured in decades.
• Bring joy to the work. Whether waving a pencil or pulling on a mascot head, Corso proved that passion and fun aren’t distractions—they’re accelerators.
• Leave a legacy through people. Corso’s impact will endure not because of wins and losses, but because of the people he inspired.

At 90 years old, he shows us that longevity comes from passion. That preparation always pays off. That details matter. That authenticity connects. And that when you put the Right People in the right places, the impact can last for generations.

Here’s a tip of the ECLARO cap to a career defined by leadership, laughter and legacy, to a person who embodies the philosophy that the Right People are the Answer.