In case you dont have a subscription, surprisingly CU was one of the 6 listed along with kNu, FSU, Miami, Va Tec, and Tennessee. Here is their take on the state of CU football.
What came next: Colorado had some success after McCartney, as Rick Neuheisel won 10 games in each of his first two seasons and Gary Barnett's teams consistently competed for the Big 12 North Division title. But declining results and off-field issues led to Barnett's departure in 2005, and Colorado has since recorded only two winning seasons and three bowl appearances. The Buffs have had only one AP Top 25 finish since 2002, and that was in 2016, which also marked the team's only season with more than six wins since 2005.
What held back the program: A mix of instability, unsuccessful coaching hires and financial issues. Colorado has struggled to keep pace financially over the years, although facilities upgrades beginning in 2013 have helped ease the challenge. The team also hasn't found a coach who has generated any consistency. Dan Hawkins arrived from Boise State with great credentials but never won more than six games. Jon Embree lasted only two years and won four games before being ousted. Mike MacIntyre couldn't build on a 10-win season in 2016, and Mel Tucker bolted for Michigan State after only one year in Boulder. Current Buffs coach Karl Dorrell is 4-10 since a promising debut in 2020, and he has an offense ranked 126th nationally in scoring. Before Hawkins, five of the previous six Colorado coaches generated some level of success. The resource issues can't be ignored, but Colorado also hasn't gotten it done on the field.
Biggest lesson for the future: Dorrell's future is in doubt because of Colorado's poor start and an unrelenting schedule. The program ultimately has to find an edge and a clear identity. McCartney focused on recruiting California during his tenure and brought in Eric Bieniemy, Darian Hagan, Sal Aunese and other stars for his best teams. Whether it's California, Texas or another fertile region, Colorado needs to find a recruiting niche again. The tricky part is that while another leadership transition might be needed, the program also needs stability after going through significant roster turnover in 2021 and 2022.
Colorado has several advantages, such as its campus, beautiful stadium, football tradition and solid fan base. But until the program stabilizes with the right person at the top, it likely will continue to sputter.
Colorado
Glory days: After seven mostly unremarkable seasons, coach Bill McCartney propelled Colorado into the national spotlight. In 1989, the program went 11-1 and finished No. 4; the following year, Colorado replicated its record to win a national title. The Buffaloes recorded eight consecutive AP top-20 finishes from 1989 and 1996 and reached the top eight five times. The team won or shared three consecutive Big Eight titles from 1989 to 1991. Colorado had a No. 9 finish in 2001 and a nice run in the 1970s, including a No. 3 finish in 1971. But nothing came close to what McCartney put together before his retirement at age 54.What came next: Colorado had some success after McCartney, as Rick Neuheisel won 10 games in each of his first two seasons and Gary Barnett's teams consistently competed for the Big 12 North Division title. But declining results and off-field issues led to Barnett's departure in 2005, and Colorado has since recorded only two winning seasons and three bowl appearances. The Buffs have had only one AP Top 25 finish since 2002, and that was in 2016, which also marked the team's only season with more than six wins since 2005.
What held back the program: A mix of instability, unsuccessful coaching hires and financial issues. Colorado has struggled to keep pace financially over the years, although facilities upgrades beginning in 2013 have helped ease the challenge. The team also hasn't found a coach who has generated any consistency. Dan Hawkins arrived from Boise State with great credentials but never won more than six games. Jon Embree lasted only two years and won four games before being ousted. Mike MacIntyre couldn't build on a 10-win season in 2016, and Mel Tucker bolted for Michigan State after only one year in Boulder. Current Buffs coach Karl Dorrell is 4-10 since a promising debut in 2020, and he has an offense ranked 126th nationally in scoring. Before Hawkins, five of the previous six Colorado coaches generated some level of success. The resource issues can't be ignored, but Colorado also hasn't gotten it done on the field.
Biggest lesson for the future: Dorrell's future is in doubt because of Colorado's poor start and an unrelenting schedule. The program ultimately has to find an edge and a clear identity. McCartney focused on recruiting California during his tenure and brought in Eric Bieniemy, Darian Hagan, Sal Aunese and other stars for his best teams. Whether it's California, Texas or another fertile region, Colorado needs to find a recruiting niche again. The tricky part is that while another leadership transition might be needed, the program also needs stability after going through significant roster turnover in 2021 and 2022.
Colorado has several advantages, such as its campus, beautiful stadium, football tradition and solid fan base. But until the program stabilizes with the right person at the top, it likely will continue to sputter.
