Kirk Herbstreit provides an update on Lee Corso following his absence from the CFP National Championship

Herbstreit Honors Lee Corso After Indiana’s Championship Win

Kirk Herbstreit recently recognized the iconic Indiana Hoosier during the College Football Playoff national championship. Following Indiana’s victory over Miami with a score of 27-21, he dedicated a moment to former College GameDay co-host and respected coach, Lee Corso, who stepped back from ESPN broadcasts earlier this season.

As the celebration unfolded, Herbstreit expressed his thoughts on the ESPN broadcast. “I really want to give a shout out to Lee Corso,” he said. He mentioned his conversation with Corso earlier that day, noting Corso’s excitement about Indiana’s success. “He had a feeling they’d pull this off and reminded me about 1979—their first-ever bowl season, the first bowl win against BYU,” Herbstreit recalled.

He continued, “I told him, ‘Coach, they’re never going to forget that.’ So, if you’re watching, Coach, we love you. Congratulations to you and the Hoosiers.”

Corso, who is 90 now, was a cornerstone of ESPN broadcasts for nearly four decades, co-founding the “College GameDay” program in 1993 with Chris Fowler, before announcing his retirement in April 2025.

Fowler chimed in, acknowledging, “That’s right. I love you, LC. Even though he was let go from that school, his love for Indiana remains strong. That says a lot about him.”

Corso served as head coach at Indiana University from 1973 to 1982, leading the team to its inaugural bowl championship.

Interestingly, this shoutout came even though Corso wasn’t featured in any broadcasts for the game he was celebrating.

Due to health and safety protocols, he couldn’t attend the title game at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. Although Corso isn’t facing new health challenges, he did have a stroke in 2009 that resulted in partial paralysis, from which he has made significant recovery.