I think most expect/demand a lot of changes after next week, what is likely or realistic based on what we know about Prime and the CU ability to pay:
- Get rid of Lewis and OB - The OL has been nothing short of horrendous and multiple analysts have pointed out that technique and positioning is terrible. Even with the awful OL talent, there should have been some improvement. The play-calling and schemes have likewise been pretty awful after TCU (except for a few quarters here and there.) Lewis cannot adjust or won't. Either way, these two obviously have to go. Then of course, who comes in? What qualified OC is available and would come to a circus atmosphere? What legit OL coach will come with talent that is so deficient?;
- Kelly - I think Kelly is retained. Would be fine if he was gone, but I think Prime has way too much respect for him and seems to blame players making mistakes in execution than he does on Kelly calling the right plays/schemes. Unlike the Offense which I think has gotten worse and worse as the season went on, the Defense did marginally improve even with the lack of playmakers and talent. They are never going to be able to shut down Pac 12 offenses if CUs offense continually stalls.
- Focus on HS recruiting - a team filled with transfers is not the answer. It's great to plug some holes, but not to build talent in a program. Plus, unless you are one of the elite programs, a great/good transfer is not coming to a team that doesn't know how to win. If they're a really good player, they are looking to transfer to a team that will contend. Otherwise, you get unproven players where there is a reason they haven't played. Okay for some depth, but you can see from our OL, DL and LBs that the portal is not a way to bring in all starters.
- Kickers - MUST find kickers that can kick the ball out of the damn endzone and not force us to punt or go for it on 4th down if the FG is over 35 yards. Just can't have that and just embarrassing at our elevation. Mata seems like a sweet kid, but he should not be at this level.
- Recruit TEs - I don't care if you want to run a spread offense, you have to have some legit TEs that can block. Not a single legit TE on the team. Harrison is a nice big WR, but he is not a real TE.
- Position Coaches - I can't tell who is good here, who knows how to develop, etc., but I just hope that Prime will be willing to make changes to some of his guys who have followed him from JSU IF they are not legit recruiters. No position group particularly developed all that well, can't tell if it's just such pathetic talent or bad coaching . . . in any case, I'd swap any of them if they are stud HS recruiters.
- Prime - use your connections for advice in earnest. This is his first year coaching in P5 and it showed. Clock management, situational awareness, play calling, etc. have been questionable at best, downright baffling too many times. It's okay to call your buddy Saban (or any other CFB head coach that is a proven commodity) and ask about best-practices, tips, who he can watch to get better, etc.
- Get players to play for COLORADO and not just their @ - in this brave new world of NIL and the TP, there is definitely an uptick in the mercenary mindset and showing off cars, bling, etc. is now just what comes with it. But, it would be nice if there was some self-awareness that this is not a good team and maybe showing off chains, watches, cars, etc. when you win 4 games, creates a culture where winning does not matter - need a culture where winning games is all that matters, and IF you win, THEN you get to show off your spoils. As has been discussed elsewhere, and while some disagree, it does not feel like there is attachment or pride with being a Buff opposed to just @ exposure. Nothing more of a turn-off than losers showing off.
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