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Before FSU vs Miami, Lee Corso, Nugent’s Boys reuniting a ‘dream come true’

admin-cdn5 October، 2025

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Before FSU vs Miami, Lee Corso, Nugent's Boys reuniting a 'dream come true'

FSU, GameDay legend Lee Corso arrives for reunion in Tallahassee

FSU, GameDay legend Lee Corso arrives for Nugent’s Boys Reunion in Tallahassee

Lee Corso reunited with former Florida State teammates for the first time in nearly 70 years.
The 90-year-old ESPN analyst returned to Tallahassee for the FSU-Miami game weekend.
FSU will honor Corso as the honorary team captain and during the first quarter of the game.
Corso was an All-American player at FSU and later served as an assistant coach.

Lee Corso was genuinely moved by emotion.

The former Florida State football star and assistant coach turned back the clock Friday, Oct. 3, reconnecting with six former Seminole teammates for the first time in nearly 70 years during the annual Nugent’s Boys reunion.

“Unbelievable, it’s a dream come true for me,” Corso told the Tallahassee Democrat.

“For years I’ve been telling them to please keep me on the list, because I always had to work. But now I am off and the first place was to make it here. I said I am coming. I was really looking forward to seeing some of the guys. It brings back old memories, a lot of good memories.

“But it also shows our age. Everyone ages. I am blessed.”

Corso — one of FSU greatest players and ESPN’s “College GameDay” beloved, now retired analyst — returned to Tallahassee from his Lake Mary home this weekend for the FSU-Miami showdown.

And the 90-year-old doesn’t plan to waste a second.

FSU set to honor one of its greatest players in Lee Corso

Corso, who retired from ESPN 34 days ago, attended the Seminoles’ team walk at Doak Campbell Stadium Friday afternoon. He then arrived at the Nugent’s Boys reunion around 5:45 p.m. at the Havana farmhouse of former player Bob Carnes. More than 30 family and friends attended, including former FSU assistant coaches Mickey Andrews and Jim Gladden.

Corso later met with FSU quarterback Tommy Castellanos and other players at the team hotel.

Saturday Oct. 4, greeted Corso with prestigious honor, when was awarded the Governor’s Medal of Freedom by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The Governor’s Medal of Freedom is one of Florida’s highest civilian honors, and is awarded to individuals who have made notable contributions to the state, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

Corso will then ride with the Seminoles from their hotel to the stadium. He will be a guest on FSU’s radio show at Langford Green around 5:50 p.m.; will serve as the honorary team captain for the pregame coin toss; and will be honored by the school before the sold-out crowd during the first quarter. The Marching Chiefs will also pay homage to Corso at halftime.

Corso’s not on the clock in retirement.

“I am going to sit back and enjoy the day,” Corso said.

The FSU-UM showdown kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on ABC.

“He’s really excited about being back,” said FSU’s Associate Director of Communications Rob Wilson, who accompanied Corso to the Nugent’s Boys reunion in Havana, outside of Tallahassee. “When he comes in with GameDay, he would stay in the background intentionally.

“But, anyway, he’s all charged up.”

His former FSU football teammates – and many others – were charged up to see Corso.

“Coach Corso ranks with the most recognizable and beloved people in Florida State history by any measure,” said Michael Alford, FSU’s VP and athletics director.

“That’s not something said lightly. When you really consider that he’s been visible as anyone in college sports and American sports media for more than 30 years, and the commercial endorsements beyond that have made him recognizable to people outside of college football – on the same level as Coach (Bobby) Bowden and Burt Reynolds.

“He’s an amazing man.”

Lee Corso’s former FSU teammates embrace his return

A moment that evoked strong emotions at the reunion occurred when Corso (1953-56) and teammate (1954-57) Ron Schomburger hugged and buried their heads in each other’s shoulders. Schomburger was in Corso’s wedding in 1957. And Corso met his wife Betsy of 68 years at registration in his freshman year.

“He looks terrific, really good and right on top of everything,” Schomburger said. “It’s impressive.”

As was Corso’s FSU career.

The Miami native was honorable mention All-America (Associated Press) as a senior in 1956 and was selected to play in the Blue-Gray All-Star game, where he started at quarterback for the South. He recorded 2,650 career all-purpose yards and his 14 career interceptions was a school record for 24 years.

“Corso was always on the innovative side,” teammate Dr. Carmen Battaglia said. “He’d run to the sideline and stop; everyone would be pursuing and he’d reverse directions. He was really good at it. He has this fiery way of talking. He’s never changed.”

Corso also was an assistant coach at FSU for two years (1957-58) following his playing days under Tom Nugent. FSU’s 1958 team was the first to beat an SEC opponent (Tennessee) and played the inaugural game against Florida.

Nugent’s former players have been a tight-knit group, holding annual reunions in Tallahassee over the decades, with Carnes serving as the primary host. Corso’s coaching career and 38-year tenure with ESPN forced him to miss the get-togethers.

That’s why Friday was so special to many.

Carnes, for example, last saw Corso in person when Carnes (1957-59) played at FSU. Bob Swoszowski of Atlanta, said he bumped into Corso in a hotel elevator during FSU’s 1999 football season.

Corso mingled, shared smiles, embraces and stories with those in attendance. Corso’s roommate at FSU was future Hollywood star Burt Reynolds. When asked later if he had a car in college, Corso said yes and quipped:

“With Reynolds’ face and my car, we did alright.”

Corso’s visit left an impact on his teammates, much like the one he made at FSU in the 1950s.

“Lee valued us as people,” Swoszowski said.

“He and Tom Nugent are among the important people in my life. They helped me develop a certain level of character and drive and no quit. It’s just a joy to see (Lee). There are not many of us left. This may well be our last hurrah.

“If it is, there’s no better way to do it than have Lee Corso a part of it.”