Lee Corso won’t be on the sidelines Monday night when Indiana takes on Miami for the national championship-but make no mistake, he’ll be locked in from his home in Florida, watching every snap.
The legendary College GameDay icon, who stepped away from weekly appearances earlier this season after a heartfelt sendoff ahead of the Texas-Ohio State matchup, has long been synonymous with college football Saturdays. And while his signature headgear picks and infectious energy will be missed on-site, his connection to this title game runs much deeper than television.
Corso’s ties to Indiana go back decades. He served as head coach of the Hoosiers from 1973 to 1982, guiding the program through some of its most memorable moments.
Chief among them? The 1979 Holiday Bowl, where Corso led Indiana to an upset victory over an undefeated BYU squad.
That win wasn’t just a milestone-it was the school’s first-ever bowl victory, a defining chapter in Hoosier football history.
Now, more than 40 years later, the Hoosiers are back on college football’s biggest stage, and Corso is right there with them in spirit.
ESPN’s Jen Lada shared a recent conversation with Corso, who’s clearly still dialed in. “Talked to Coach Corso this morning & he is obviously thrilled about the Hoosiers’ trip to the National Championship Game,” Lada posted on social media.
“Will watch from his Florida home. He loves Fernando Mendoza.”
It’s fitting that this championship game is happening in Corso’s home state of Florida. There was some buzz about whether he might make a surprise appearance, but it looks like the 88-year-old legend will enjoy the moment from the comfort of home.
Still, the symbolism is powerful. Indiana’s return to the national spotlight comes decades after Corso helped lay the foundation. For a program that’s often flown under the radar in the college football world, this is a full-circle moment-and for Corso, it’s a reminder of the legacy he helped build.
As for the matchup itself, Indiana enters as a heavy favorite over Miami. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
ET Monday on ESPN. And while Corso won’t be in the building, you can bet he’ll be watching closely, cheering on the team he once led, and maybe even calling out a few plays from his recliner.
Because if there’s one thing we know about Lee Corso-it’s never been just a game.