CARD: Pro Set 1991 World League Insert ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 5/31 RECEIVED: 6/10 (10 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Played college football at Penn State from 1959-1961 where he was starting QB for the Nittany Lions.
Completed 48.2% of his passes for 1619 yards, 15 TDs, and 11 interceptions, while rushing for 318 yards and 3 TDs on 104 carries.
Played briefly in the NFL for the Redskins in 1962, and the Jets in ’63.
Jumped into coaching working in the college ranks as a positional coach for West Virginia (TE 64-65) and Oklahoma (WR/OC 66-83).
Started out as OC at Florida in ’84, but quickly took the reins as HC, coaching there through ’89.
Posted a 40-18-1 record over career with Gators.
After a year off, returned to coaching as OC of the WLAF Orlando Thunder in ’91.
Recommended and quickly reunited with his former college QB Kerwin Bell.
Orlando became well known for its explosive Spread offensive formations.
Became head coach of the Thunder in ’92, leading the franchise to World Bowl II, claiming an 8-2 record.
After a year’s stint with the AFL Charlotte Rage in ’94, returned to the rebooted World League in 1995, coaching with the Rhein Fire.
Coached through 2000, compiling a 34-26 record, winning two World Bowl Championships (1998, 2000).
Came back stateside in 2001, as head coach of the XFL Orlando Rage posting an 8-2 record.
Coached RBs with the Dallas Cowboys in 2002.
Returned home to Penn State in 2004 as OC and RB coach, working with the Nittany Lions through 2011.
ACCOLADES:
SEC Coach of the Year (1984)
NFL Europe Coach of the Year (1998, 00,
XFL Coach of the Year (2001)
Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame
NOTES:
Galen didn’t have any cards of himself made. I considered making one, but at the time I was artistically uninspired, so after arming up with a few World League helmet cards, I decided to fire one off to him. Now, my big thing recently is getting coaches to draw me up a play. I also peppered him with questions about the spread offense and his time in the World League. Although he didn’t give me any insight into his time in the WLAF/ NFLE, he did author two plays for me. They are run plays, but I’m very happy nonetheless he took the time to put these together.
Wild Card World League 1992, #66Pro Set 1991 WLAF inserts, #7
CARDS: Wild Card World League 1992, Pro Set 1991 WLAF Inserts ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 6/6 RECEIVED: 6/22 (16 days) FAILURE: TTM 2011, 2020, C/o Home
One of my latest retry replies came through after I saw a few successes pop up in some of the Facebook groups I frequent. I shot these cards out immediately and he graciously signed after a nail biting 16 days where I saw a couple of others get theirs back first! I’m also not really sure what he inscribed outside of Thunder and #49, but I’m happy to cross Roger off the list.
CARD: Pro Set 1991 World League Helmet Insert ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home SENT: 11/12 RECEIVED: 11/22 (10 days) FAILURE: TTM 2021, C/o ESPN
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Lee Corso was a great athlete and after high school was immediately identified by the Brookyn Dodgers as a baseball prospect to play short stop.
Opted to go to college instead at Florida State, where he played both defensive back and quarterback in college from 1953-1957.
Possessing great speed and anticipation, Corso set the school’s career interception record at the time with 14.
Although he had a successful college career, he was not selected in the NFL draft.
Went into coaching at the college ranks almost immediately, spending time at Maryland (1959-65) and Navy (1966-68) as a positional coach.
From there in 1969 Corso served as head coach of Louisville through 1972.
He’s perhaps most iconically known as head coach of Indiana, a role he served in from 1973-82.
Led the Hoosiers to two winning seasons, including an upset victory over the Brigham Young Cougars in the Holiday Bowl.
Finished 41-68-2 at Indiana.
Spent one year at Northern Illinois University going 4-6-1.
College coaching record is 73-85-6.
Head coach of the USFL Orlando Renegades in 1985, where he went 5-13.
Lee then joined the WLAF where he served as general manager of the Orlando Thunder for the 1991 season.
He was very excited to be a part of the venture, but due to ongoing commitments to ESPN, probably couldn’t return to the squad for their 1992 campaign.
Has been an analyst since 1987 for ESPN.
NOTES:
Lee Corso to me, is like the Dick Vitale of college football. He’s beloved by all and everybody loves his quips and antics. I tried him first via ESPN, but after that latest (and multiple other) failure(s), I think the door on TTM through the network is now closed. He has very few cards. I think he had a Press Pass Legends or something like that. -I think I flushed that on the first attempt that failed.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
