Episode 713 - Lee Corso

In this episode of Monday Morning Mojo, Phil pays tribute to the legendary Lee Corso, chronicling his journey from standout athlete and trailblazing coach to the unforgettable face of college football Saturdays. Corso’s story is one of passion, reinvention, and staying power. But beyond the headgear and humor lies a powerful reminder about legacy, leadership, and the enduring value of experience, especially relevant as the financial industry faces a wave of retirements. It’s a thoughtful reflection on how some of the greatest impact is made not at the beginning, but in the later chapters of our journey.

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Lee Corso

Transcript

Top performers in every field surround themselves with those who inspire them, who seek to build them up, and who push them to reach beyond their current limits. I'm Phil Buchanan, executive chairman of Cannon Financial Institute. I designed Monday Morning Mojo to provide you with a weekly spark, a push and motivational insight to live your best life. Thanks for joining.

Good Monday morning. It is Phil here with episode 713 of Monday Morning Mojo. In 1945, a 10-year-old kid moved with his family from Illinois to Miami, Florida. Of course, the entire world was changing in 1945 as World War II came to an end, but it certainly was changing for this young man.
As a high schooler, he went on to great success in sports as a multiple sport athlete with special gifts in football and baseball. The Brooklyn Dodgers wanted him to play shortstop for them, but instead he took his talents to Tallahassee and played both baseball and football for Florida State, starting as both quarterback and defensive back.

It was during that time as an athlete at Florida State that he actually roomed with the famous actor Burt Reynolds. After college, he went into the coaching ranks where in 1962, he recruited the first African American football player in the Atlantic Coast Conference. That gentleman played quarterback for the University of Maryland.

Now, the coach went on to become a college head coach, both at Louisville, Indiana as well as northern Illinois. He even had a stint in the United States Football League with the Orlando Renegades. However, his overall record in these head coaching efforts would be characterized as moderate at best. Now, this often happens in sports and politics and business and in life.

One has success and as an individual performer or as part of a larger team, but sometimes struggles in other parts of the leadership process. Far too often the knowledge, experience, and insights of that person is lost to the broader industry as that individual chooses to pursue a path outside their upbringing.
Well, luckily for all of college football fans around the world, that did not happen to one Lee Corso in 1987. Two years removed from his last head coaching stint, Corso joined ESPN as co-host of a program that has come to be known as College Gameday. It's a position that he held from 1987 until August 30th, 2025, when at age 90 he hung up his microphone for the final time.

Corso's role on College Gameday began with offering expert insight from a former head coaching perspective. Yet through the years his role was enhanced. He did so with humor and wit. And introducing his famous act of picking the projected winner of the game of the week by dawning the headgear of that institution.
Now, this unique way of picking the winner has been fairly prescient, uh, as his picks won two thirds of the time. Corso brought energy and enthusiasm to the show in a way that was not only entertaining, but it actually elevated the performances of his co-hosts. He found sustained success in what can only be described as a fickle part of the industry.

You know, in the wealth management business, we're constantly reminded of the large number of experienced advisors who are gonna be leaving the industry over the next five years. My hope is that many of these knowledgeable professionals can find ways to continue to contribute to the profession.

Now, no, wealth management is not the entertainment mecca that is college football, but like college football there are tremendous benefits to be gained from hearing the perspectives of seasoned pros. If you're in a leadership role within a wealth management group or organization, be creative in identifying ways to tap into the insights of your retiring professionals. It's not just a good gesture. It is a great business move.

And to coach Lee Corso, I want to personally thank you for all that you have contributed to the sport of football and to the entertainment of College football Gameday, you made a tremendous impact every step of the journey.

Monday Morning Mojo is production of Cannon Financial Institute; executive producer of Monday Morning Mojo is Sarah Jones. Editing and mixing is done by Danny Brunner. Until next time, I'm Phil Buchanan reminding you to be a force for good. Have a great week and thanks for being part of the Mojo community.