Unexpected Twist in College GameDay Announcement Leaves Fans Stunned – What Happens Next?

So, Lee Corso is hanging up his mascot headgear—after nearly three decades of wildly entertaining “College GameDay” viewers with those iconic picks that had fans either cheering or groaning every Saturday morning. Can you imagine a Saturday without Corso donning some ridiculous mascot head and sparking that electric frenzy on location? It’s like losing the secret sauce that made the show feel like a weekend ritual for college football fans everywhere. With his final show slated just weeks after his 90th birthday, the question on everyone’s lips is: can “GameDay” truly keep its spark without the magic (and chaos) of those headgear moments? Trust me, this ain’t just a rundown of retirements—it’s the end of an era that somehow turned a simple pick into an unforgettable tradition. LEARN MORE.

As Lee Corso prepares to sign off of “College GameDay” for the final time just a couple short months from now, one of the show’s most beloved traditions will also reportedly be leaving with him.

According to ESPN, “GameDay” will no longer be doing the iconic headgear picks following Corso’s retirement. Which was also confirmed by longtime host Rece Davis:

“No one is going to put on a mascot head ever again,” Davis said.

College Gameday reveals that the headgear picks will end with Lee Corso. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/RrGViJzO33

— College Football Alerts  (@CFBAlerts_) June 21, 2025

CFB fans around the country reacted to the news over the weekend.

“Proud to have been a Lee Corso headgear pick ✅” Bowling Green replied.

“Right move,” a user said. “Can never replicate Corso.”

“No one else can do it like Corso. Good decision,” another tagged ESPN.

“This is truly a sad day,” a fan admitted.

“This is a bummer but totally understand the decision,” another person commented.

“I’ll miss seeing it, but it’s definitely the right and honorable thing to do,” another user posted.

“I have no problem with this Lee Corso is a legend,” another fan shared.

“I understand this move but I’m going to miss it. I made sure to tune in so I could see the headgear pick every Saturday. Without it, no point tuning in to College Gameday over other shows.”

“I mean no offense to the rest of the crew but the Gameday show as a whole will die out without Corso. You just can’t replace what he brought with the headgear,” a viewer pointed out.

“Good they shouldn’t,” another account approved.

The coach first started his headgear picks back in 1996 before they took on a life of their own and largely ended up defining the show’s legacy over the next several decades.

Of his 430 selections 286 were correct. But there was never a time that his picks didn’t stir up a frenzy at whatever location the broadcast happened to be that week. Corso’s final show will be on August 30 — 23 days after his 90th birthday.

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