POSTED: March 10, 2020

Colorado Daily


Colorado Daily

March 14th

... CU in a few minutes … 

Karl Dorrell already making an impression on players and their parents

From the Daily Camera … Karl Dorrell, introduced as head coach less than three weeks ago – on Feb. 24 – had been in scramble mode to build a staff and prepare for Monday’s scheduled start of spring workouts.

He put that on hold Friday and sent a letter to players and parents to update them on the situation, which includes CU letting players and their families use their discretion in going home to be with loved ones at this time rather than staying on campus.

Dorrell also told them that the lines of communication with him and CU’s trainers will be open at all times, gave them information on what to do if they feel sick, and informed them that all student-athlete support services would be available for those who remain on campus this next week.

“This is the first time in three years a parent has gotten an email like this,” one player’s father told BuffZone.

In the letter, Dorrell addressed the players specifically and told them this is a test for “great communication and responsibility” during a time of crisis and urged them all to rise to the challenge.

One player’s mother told BuffZone that Dorrell’s letter “gave me goosebumps!”

“The connection he seems to have already with the players (is impressive),” she said. “He seems to have an interest in developing the players into men. Dorrell seems more developmental in his approach.”

Continue reading story here

Davion Taylor hopes his 4.39 40 moves him up NFL draft boards

From The Athletic … About a week after Colorado’s 2019 season ended with a loss at Utah, Davion Taylor began a second football season. For weeks, he commuted some 40 miles from Boulder to Centennial, Colo., to train twice a day, six days a week for the NFL Scouting Combine and his ensuing pro day.

The Mississippi native, who had no varsity-level playing experience in high school, has had his eyes set on the NFL for years, and in recent weeks he has inched closer and closer to making his dream a reality.

At the combine, he caught the attention of many who didn’t know his story — that of a rare athlete from a small town who in four years made the leap from junior college walk-on to FBS starter to pro prospect.

Wednesday afternoon on the turf of CU’s indoor practice facility, Taylor might have changed his career trajectory once more.

In front of 32 representatives from 25 NFL teams, Taylor ran a blazing 4.39-second 40-yard dash and recorded a 36-inch vertical leap. Those performances will likely improve his draft stock and put him in front of more teams before April.

Only two weeks earlier, Taylor ran a 4.49 40 at the combine, which ranked him as the third-fastest among linebackers in his class. He also had a 35-inch vertical, tied for 11th-best among his positional group.

His latest 40 time, however, put him in company with Isaiah Simmons, the former Clemson standout who is widely regarded as the top linebacker prospect in the class of 2020. Simmons’ 4.39 in Indianapolis was the second-fastest time by a linebacker in combine recording history (since 2006).

“I reached my goal, and I’m so excited and so happy that I did. Everything came out today,” Taylor said Wednesday. “I was smooth in every drill, smooth when I was running, smooth when I was doing my jumps. Everything felt comfortable and ready to go. I took last week to look at the combine and what I did wrong and what I wasn’t ready to do. So last week I was practicing hard and made sure I came focused and ready to go.”

Continue reading story here (subscription required) …

Karl Dorrell impressed by team unity in face of adversity: “They want to win”

From CUBuffs.com … Dorrell will be the Buffs’ third head coach in three years. That’s not recipe´ for continuity or consistency, and Dorrell knows he doesn’t have a lot of time to bring the Buffs together as they learn yet another coach’s preferred way of operating.

“They have a new coach, a new value system, a new way of doing things,” Dorrell said. “You have to make sure there’s a good foundation of bringing things together in the spring that we can take through the summer.”

One thing with which Dorrell said he has been extremely impressed thus far is the players’ attitude as he has met with them individually and as a team. A third head coach in three years could understandably produce some hesitancy, but Dorrell said he’s seen nothing but enthusiasm and an eagerness to get to work.

“They’ve been great,” Dorrell said. “They want to win. They believe they should have won more last year and this is a year they don’t want to take things for granted. Me helping them bridge that thought into winning is this: there’s a way you practice when you win, there’s a way of how you handle your business, there’s a way of taking care of your body. Those things don’t happen overnight. There’s a process to winning and that’s my job, to help them understand what that is. It’s not just a couple hours a day — it’s a commitment.”

Dorrell is already seeing signs of that commitment. As he leaves work each evening, he walks through the Indoor Practice Facility on his way to the parking garage. Almost always, he said, there are players getting in some extra work on their own.

“That’s what it takes, doing extra work,” he said. “It’s all an educational moment. It’s how you teach young guys. It’s not two hours a day and you’re done. There’s a bigger process and our job as coaches is to help them understand that’s what great teams do.”

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March 13th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Spring practices officially postponed 

From the Daily Camera … The Colorado football team’s first spring under head coach Karl Dorrell has been postponed.

CU had been scheduled to conduct the first of its 15 spring practices on Monday, but sports information director David Plati said on Friday, “We do not know if or when we will begin spring football practice.”

Along with many of the nation’s sports entities, CU announced Thursday that it will not participate in any competition for the foreseeable future because of concerns about the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).

In football, CU was scheduled to practice three times next week and then take time off for spring break from March 21-29. Now, the earliest they could begin spring practices would be after spring break. A source told Buffzone that a team meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. on March 29.

“There remains many moving parts to all aspects around this and the situation remains fluid and ever-evolving,” Plati said.

Buffzone has learned that athletic director Rick George informed the student-athletes on Friday that they can use their discretion to return home and continue with remote studies.

This week, several players told Buffzone they would prefer to go home if they could. One player said, “Almost everyone is going home and have already booked flights.”

According to Plati, academic, food and other support services for student-athletes will remain in operation for players who chose to stay on campus.

CU is one of only three Pac-12 schools that have yet to start spring football, along with Washington and Washington State, which both were not scheduled to start until late March or early April.

Continue reading story here

NCAA: Spring sport athletes to be granted an extra year of eligibility

From the Daily Camera … The latest NCAA fallout from the coronavirus pandemic likely will be hollow solace for a Colorado men’s basketball team dealing with the disappointment of not being able to compete in the NCAA Tournament.

Same for a CU women’s basketball team that was eyeing a chance to extend its season in the WNIT. Yet for all of the Buffaloes’ spring athletes whose seasons were wiped off the docket, it appears relief is on the way.

On Friday, the NCAA announced it will offer eligibility relief for student-athletes who participate in spring sports, all of whom had their seasons canceled on Thursday as fears regarding the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to grip the nation.

For CU, that would include athletes in women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s golf, women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s outdoor track and field. At other regional schools, additional prominent programs set to be included in the eligibility relief would be the baseball programs at Air Force and Northern Colorado, the softball program at Colorado State, and the men’s lacrosse program at the University of Denver, among others.

Continue reading story here

WR signee Brendan Rice: The ultimate team player 

From azcentral.com …. Brenden Rice always brought a swagger to the football field, a belief — not because he had the last name —that he was the best player.

But in the last year, it was his all-in, buy-in, do-anything attitude that turned Rice into the ultimate team player at Chandler Hamilton High School, where head football and track and field coach Mike Zdebski can’t find enough superlatives to throw his way.

When the 6-foot-3, 210-pound senior wide receiver with Jerry Rice’s genetics was asked to play outside linebacker last summer, Rice was on board, going both ways and still making phenomenal plays catching the ball in the biggest games, leading the Huskies to the Open Division semifinals.

When the chance came to return to basketball even as a bench player, Rice was all in, happy to play a small role on a team that reached the 6A state quarterfinals.

And, even though he signed for football with Colorado in December, Rice couldn’t wait to get back into the sprinter’s blocks this spring for track, the sport that showed the college football doubters that he could run fast.

“It’s amazing to be out there and do everything I can and to contribute to the teams,” Rice said. “I want to give back to the school in any way. It’s being able to use my athletic abilities for better purposes.”

This is the evolution of Brenden Rice, who hadn’t played basketball since his freshman year and never did track until last year.

Continue reading story here

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March 12th

… CU in a few minutes …

Rick George issues statement clarifying CU athletics

From CUBuffs.com … University of Colorado athletic director Rick George issued the following statement Thursday afternoon regarding the department’s operations following the NCAA announcing that it has canceled all remaining winter and all spring championships, effective immediately, in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.  The Pac-12 Conference has also canceled all spring sports competition, including all non-conference events, until further notice.

“The CU athletic department is committed to the health and safety of our student-athletes, staff and fans as it relates to COVID-19,” George said.  “As the situation is developing rapidly, we continue to collaborate with leaders from campus, the Pac-12 and NCAA as we make decisions that are in the best interest of our student-athletes and staff.”

Colorado’s spring sports include men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s outdoor track, women’s lacrosse and women’s tennis, along with spring practices in football, women’s soccer and women’s volleyball …

Also:

  • The NCAA Indoor Track Championships that were scheduled to begin tomorrow in Albuquerque are included in the cancellations.
  • The NCAA Skiing Championships started Wednesday in Bozeman, Mont., and reached the midway point Thursday morning; those were suspended at that point with the remaining four events canceled.  Individual results will count and the NCAA Board of Governors will decide if a team champion will be declared for 2020.
  • CU’s women’s lacrosse team had not yet departed for its two games this weekend against California and Stanford.
  • The Women’s NIT has been canceled; CU’s women’s basketball had submitted a bid to be a host institution.
  • A meet-and-greet with CU’s six new football assistants with the media that was scheduled for Friday has been postponed until a later date.  A determination on the status of spring football practices will be made in the very near future.

CU (for now) set to open Spring practices as scheduled next Monday

… Two practices open to the media; no fan access due to Coronavirus concerns … 

CU’s Spring schedule …

MARCH 13— Coach Dorrell Brief Spring Primer / New Assistant Coach Meet-N-Greet (2:00-3:00 p.m., Champions Center Room 319)
MARCH 16— Practice # 1 (7:00 a.m. meetings, 8:50-11:00 a.m. practice) CLOSED shorts/helmets
MARCH 18— Practice # 2 (7:00 a.m. meetings, 8:50-11:00 a.m. practice) CLOSED shorts/helmets
MARCH 20— Practice # 3 (7:00 a.m. meetings, 8:50-11:00 a.m. practice) CLOSED pads-NT (uppers)
———————————————————————- SPRING BREAK (March 21-29) ———————————————————————–
MARCH 30— Practice # 4 (7:00 a.m. meetings, 8:50-11:00 a.m. practice) CLOSED shorts/helmets
APRIL 1— Practice # 5 (7:00 a.m. meetings, 8:50-11:00 a.m. practice) CLOSED pads-NT (uppers)
APRIL 3— Practice # 6 (7:00 a.m. meetings, 8:50-11:00 a.m. practice) CLOSED full pads
APRIL 6— Practice # 7 (7:00 a.m. meetings, 8:50-11:00 a.m. practice) CLOSED pads-NT (uppers)
APRIL 7— Practice # 8 (7:00 a.m. meetings, 8:50-11:00 a.m. practice) CLOSED full pads
APRIL 9— Practice # 9 (7:00 a.m. meetings, 9:00 a.m. approx. scrimmage) OPEN (media) full pads
APRIL 13— Practice #10 (7:00 a.m. meetings, 8:50-11:00 a.m. practice) CLOSED pads-NT (uppers)
APRIL 15— Practice #11 (7:00 a.m. meetings, 8:50-11:00 a.m. practice) CLOSED full pads
APRIL 17— Practice #12 (7:00 a.m. meetings, 9:00 a.m. approx. scrimmage) OPEN (media) full pads
APRIL 20— Practice #13 (7:00 a.m. meetings, 8:50-11:00 a.m. practice) CLOSED pads-NT (uppers)
APRIL 22— Practice #14 (7:00 a.m. meetings, 8:50-11:00 a.m. practice) CLOSED full pads
APRIL 24— ANNUAL COACHES CLINIC (3:00-7:00 p.m.)
APRIL 25— SPRING GAME (Practice #15; 1:00 p.m. Folsom Field / Pac 12 Network, KOA-Radio) OPEN (all) full pads

NOTE: Due to the Coronavirus, the University of Colorado is taking several precautions which include athletic events and practices. Coach Karl Dorrell wanted
to bit a bit more open, but due to restrictions by the school and commitment to the health and safety of our student-athletes, we are limiting as much contact
with outsiders as possible.

Buffs show their talents to 32 pro scouts at CU Pro Timing Day

From CUBuffs.com … The Colorado football team held their annual Pro Timing day on Wednesday with 32 representatives from 25 NFL teams present, though originally there were supposed to be several more assistant coaches; many NFL teams are pulling back and keeping their personnel close to home because of the Coronavirus situation around the world.

Today’s participants consisted of quarterback Steven Montez (who participated in passing drills only), wide receiver Tony Brown, tight ends Beau Bisharat and Jalen Harris, offensive linemen Arlington HambrightTim Lynott, and Jack Shutack, linebackers Davion TaylorAlex Tchangam, and Nu’umotu Falo Jr., defensive back Delrick Abrams Jr., safety Mikial Onu, long snapper J.T. Bale, punter Alex Kinney, and placekicker Davis Price.

Also participating was Daniel Talley, a former CU defensive back who graduated in 2018 but was unable to participate in that year’s Pro Day due to injury.

The day began with each player getting their height, weight, hand size and wingspan measured.

Next was the bench press which saw a number of Buffs put up solid numbers, most notably Arlington Hambright and Tim Lynott, who each put up 29 reps, a number that would have stood as the sixth-best amongst all offensive lineman at the 2020 NFL Combine.

Soon after came the vertical and broad jumps, which saw a first-place tie of 36″ by Davion Taylor and Tony Brown. Brown was able to improve upon his initial combine result of 33.5″ and Taylor slightly improved on his vertical jump of 35″.

The longest broad jump of the day belonged to Delrick Abrams Jr. at 10′ 6″.

The athletes then transitioned to the field drills where they began with the 40-yard dash before participating in the Pro Shuttle and L-Drill. Davion Taylor won the day by improving on his combine time of 4.49 to reach an official time of 4.39. He was followed by Brown, who was able to improve his combine time from a 4.65 to a 4.49, as well as Tchangam (4.48) and Abrams (4.50) for the fastest times of the day.

Talley recorded the fastest Pro Shuttle time of the day with a 4.26 and the fastest L-Drill belonged to Taylor who posted a 6.96.

The 2020 NFL Draft will take place on Thursday, April 23 through Sunday, April 25 in Las Vegas, Nev.

 

Here are the full results from CU’s Pro Timing Day …

Name                            Pos.Height        WeightHand Size    Wingspan40-yardVerticalBroad JumpPro ShuttleL-DrillBench
Delrick Abrams Jr.DB6′ 1 7/8″1918 5/8″79 1/4″4.5033 1/2″10′ 6″4.607.097
J.T. BaleSNP6′ 1 1/4″2079 3/8″76 1/8″XXXXX10
Beau BisharatFB6′ 1 1/4″22110″76 3/8″4.6931″10′ 1″4.537.1216
Tony BrownWR6′ 1 5/8″1949 1/8″76 1/8″4.4936″XXXX
Nu’umotu Falo Jr.LB6′ 1 5/8″2449 1/2″77 1/8″4.8130″8′ 7″4.647.4420
Arlington HambrightOL6′ 3 7/8″3079 3/8″79 5/8″4.9528 1/2″9′ 1″XX29
Jalen HarrisTE6′ 4 1/4″2609″79 1/8″5.0029″9′ 5″XX17
Alex KinneyP6′ 1/4″2038″73″XXXXXX
Tim LynottOL6′ 2 1/8″3019 3/4″75 1/2″5.4427″7′ 10″5.027.5729
Steven MontezQB6′ 4″2299 1/2″77″XXXXXX
Mikial OnuS5′ 10 3/8″2009 5/8″74 5/8″4.78X9′ 10″XX15
Davis PricePK6′ 1/8″2068 3/4″74 3/8″XXXXXX
Jack ShutackOL6′ 5″3009 3/4″77 5/8″5.5728 1/2″8′ 5″5.078.3922
Davion TaylorLB6′ 3/8″2269 1/2″77″4.3936″XX6.96X
Alex TchangamLB6′ 2″2449 7/8″80 7/8″4.4832″9′ 11″4.527.0627
Daniel TalleyS6′ 3/4″2169 1/8″75 3/4″4.5332 1/2″10′ 2″4.267.0022

 

—–

March 11th

... CU in a few minutes … 

CU-Boulder cancels in-person classes for remainder of the semester

From the Daily Camera … University of Colorado Boulder will cancel all in-person classes for the rest of the semester starting Monday, joining dozens of universities across the country in switching to online-only education in a bid to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

The semester ends May 6.

The campus will remain open, as will residence halls, dining halls, libraries, recreation centers, the Center for Community, the health center and University Memorial Center.

“But, as local, national and global public health recommendations shift to include mitigation of transmission, we are proactively taking steps to protect the campus and community,” Chancellor Phil DiStefano said in a statement.

CU Boulder is also considering which of its employees can work remotely starting Monday, according to the statement.

The decision will impact nearly 36,000 students and 10,000 employees as the campus switches to remote learning and work.

CU Boulder uses an online learning platform, Canvas, to share class syllabi, readings and assignments. Professors and instructors can use platforms to stream live lectures or record and share them.

—–

Michael Westbrook becomes the ninth Buff to elected to the College Football Hall of Fame!!

Press release from CUBuffs.com … Some 25-plus years later, it still resonates and sends chills through Colorado football fans as if it happened just yesterday through the late Keith Jackson’s call on ABC: “Stewart with time … He lets it go … He’s got three people down there … The ball’s up in the air … Caught! Touchdown! … Caught by Westbrook for a touchdown! … Incredible!”

On Sept. 24, 1994, Michael Westbrook cemented his name in University of Colorado history with that catch, dubbed the “Miracle in Michigan.”  He will now be officially recognized as one of college football’s all-time greats as he has been selected for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in its 2020 Class, the National Football Foundation (NFF) announced Wednesday.

Westbrook, 47, is one of 17 players and two coaches in the Class of 2020 that will be inducted this December 8 at the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Midtown in New York City.  He first appeared on the national ballot for the Hall in 2016, so he made it in his fifth year on the ballot.

He will become the ninth Buffalo enshrined in the Hall, joining Byron White (inducted in 1952), Joe Romig (1984), Dick Anderson (1993), Bobby Anderson (2006), Alfred Williams (2010), John Wooten (2012), Coach Bill McCartney (2013) and Herb Orvis (2016).  Westbrook becomes the second player who was coached by McCartney to enter the Hall, joining Williams who played for him during his 13-year tenure as head coach from 1982-94.

Selected as college football’s play of the year for 1994, Kordell Stewart threw that pass that covered 64 yards to Westbrook that beat Michigan, 27-26, as time expired in Ann Arbor just after the sun set that day.  Blake Anderson tipped the ball into the air and Westbrook snagged it to give the No. 7 Buffaloes the road win over the No. 4 Wolverines.  It also won ESPN’s coveted “Espy Award” as the national play of the year in all sports world-wide.  But Westbrook was much more than a one-catch wonder during his CU career.

See the play here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Nt6HjqtJt8&t=87s.

At the time of his graduation, he finished his career as Colorado’s all-time leader in receptions (167), receiving yards (2,548) and receiving touchdowns (19).  Those numbers still remain fourth, third and seventh, respectively, a quarter century after he played, while his average of 15.3 yards per reception is the fourth-highest among the 36 players in CU history with 70 or more catches.  He had eight career 100-yard games (six over 125) and was also 11th in all-purpose yards (2,858) and 22nd in scoring (116 points).

To this day, he remains tied for the school’s most receptions in bowl games (14) and the leader in yards (283) with one touchdown.  His 20.2 yards per catch is the highest for any player with 10 or more receptions in the postseason.

The players are annually informed from the NFF via a package that includes a commemorative Hall of Fame football.  It arrived Tuesday afternoon and caught him “totally off guard.”

“I knew I had been on the ballot, and you anticipate getting in, but you never expect it so I kind of let my guard down a bit,” Westbrook said.  “Then I got the package from the Hall of Fame, and I’m like, “Wow!”

“I think back to those days, and it was such an awesome time in our lives,” he continued.   “You couldn’t ask for a better situation to go through and succeed in.  We had quality coaches, a great support staff and awesome teammates.  Beginning with Coach Mac when he came to my high school and recruited me on the spot when he was there looking at someone else.

“Then there was (assistant coach/offensive coordinator) Les Steckel, who was a Godsend for me, especially from a mental standpoint.  He put me in a position where I couldn’t do anything but succeed.  From his perspective, that’s what life was – try your hardest to succeed at everything you do or go home – and he hammered that into all us receivers.  I can honestly tell you that Coach Steckel, along with some advice my high school coach, Charles Spann, took me to another level of being a man.  Football was my base, but they taught to look at all of life in general.”

McCartney was pleased to hear that Westbrook will be joining him in the Hall of Fame.

“He could have gone in before I did, you’re only as good as the players you are privileged to coach,” McCartney said.  “I’m excited for Michael.  He was a game changer, the real deal and looked the part.  He was big, strong and fast. The defense always had to be concerned with where he lined up and he was nearly impossible to cover one-on-one.  As a blocker, he was downright vicious, probably the best blocking receiver I’ve ever coached – and it was something he took great pride in.  He’s obviously known for the catch in Michigan, but he shouldn’t be defined by it.  He was so much more for us than that one play.”

“Michael was the one of most gifted athletes I’ve ever coached, and he was the one player who taught me the importance of the player-coach relationship and the amount of success both individuals can have,” Steckel said.  “He was a joy to work with, coachable as can be, and without a doubt, a great, great player and person.  I wrote a book and in it, I said that my biggest thrill in coaching was coaching Michael Westbrook.”

“I’m really excited for Michael that he’ll be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame,” said CU athletic director Rick George, who helped recruit him when he was McCartney’s recruiting coordinator.  “It’s a solid tribute to his work ethic and perseverance throughout his career.  I’m equally happy that another Buff is going into Hall.

Westbrook, who stood 6-foot-4 and weighed 210 pounds, redshirted as a true freshman in 1990 when the Buffaloes were the consensus national champions.  He had 22 catches for 309 yards and five TDs the following year as CU was transitioning out of it wishbone/I-Bone offense into one that featured much more in the passing game.  That new offense actually made its debut in the Blockbuster Bowl against Alabama, in which he had three catches for a then-CU bowl record 87 yards; it included a 62-yard TD reception from Darian Hagan, the longest play in school postseason history at the time.

As a sophomore in ’92, he caught a then-school record 76 passes for 1,060 yards and eight TDs, one of the first two 1,000-yard seasons in CU history; he finished the season fifth in the nation in receptions and 10th in yards per game.  Charles Johnson had 1,149 yards that year as both were tutored by first-year receivers coach Karl Dorrell, who was introduced on Feb. 23 as CU’s new head coach.

“Mike was a tremendously gifted athlete that dominated in his era,” Dorrell said.  “He was hard to cover, tough to tackle, and he could run by you.  He was the absolute worst nightmare for a defensive back.  Coordinators were challenged every week – he wasn’t anything fun to deal with.”

“Coach Dorrell was there for that ride with Coach Mac and Coach Steckel, and we all experienced the same thought process – what you needed to do to succeed, not only in football but in life,” Westbrook recalled.  “To put maximum effort into everything you do, because that’s life’s equalizer.  And I have taken that mentality throughout my life since.  What they taught me made it possible for me to handle everything in life that has come my way.  And it’s all because of my foundation at the University of Colorado.”

The Buffs returned to running the ball about two-thirds of the time his last two seasons, as he had 33 catches for 490 yards and two scores as a junior and 36 for 689 and four touchdowns as a senior.  In the Michigan win, he enjoyed one of his career-best games, as he had seven catches for 157 yards and two scores, 85 of those yards coming in the game’s final 14 seconds; he earned national player of the week honors for his effort.

In the four seasons he lettered (’91-94), he helped CU win one Big Eight Conference title with three runner-up finishes and earn four bowl berths in compiling an overall record of 36-9-3; the Buffaloes were nationally ranked throughout entire career.  Colorado was 11-1 his senior season, finishing with a No. 3 national ranking in the final major polls, as he had countless downfield blocks for CU’s Heisman Trophy winner, the late Rashaan Salaam.

He was a two-time first-team All-American as a sophomore and senior in 1992 and 1994, respectively, when he was also a first-team All-Big Eight Conference performer (he was second-team All-Conference as a junior), and was a Playboy Preseason All-American ahead of the ’93 season.  At the time, he was just the second CU receiver to earn All-League honors, and the first to be recognized twice.  As a senior, he was one of 10 semifinalists for the inaugural Fred Biletnikoff Award, presented to college football’s most outstanding receiver, and was honored with the Paul Warfield Trophy by the Touchdown Club of Columbus as the nation’s top pass catcher.

Westbrook was a Detroit News first-team All-Metro selection and an All-Midwest team member as a senior at Detroit’s Chadsey High School, where he was also a standout performer in basketball, baseball and especially in track (jumps).  Though he had 120 receptions for 1,764 yards and 16 touchdowns in high school, he was a bit under the radar to most colleges.  McCartney was actually visiting with his high school coach, Charles Spann, about another Chadsey player when Westbrook wandered by and McCartney asked, “Who is that?!”  From that point on, he was on CU’s radar and committed to the Buffaloes shortly thereafter.

Spann was overjoyed at the news.  “It caught me by surprise.  He’s a person who had all the qualities academically and athletically to achieve these things.  You know, Michael didn’t really think that much about sports other than just playing them, but eventually embraced what they could mean to turn a young man into an adult.

“His high school skill level was just a little bit beyond everybody else’s in the area at the time, and we really didn’t have the people to truly complement him,” Spann said.  “His senior year, we didn’t have a returning quarterback, so we put Michael there, but we lost our first four games.  Michael, being the great athlete that he was, tried to and could do everything.  So midyear, we decided to run the veer and moved Michael out to tight end and moved the end to quarterback.  Those two got us rolling and we won our last five games.

“He was a great baseball player and a guy who could long jump 23, 24 feet.  There weren’t too many things that Michael couldn’t do.  I am so very proud of him.”

The Washington Redskins selected Westbrook as the fourth overall pick in the 1995 National Football League Draft, tied for the second-highest a Buffalo has been drafted; Bo Matthews was picked second by San Diego in the 1974 and Byron White was taken fourth by Pittsburgh in 1938.  Westbrook appeared in 89 games during an eight-year professional career with the Redskins (1995-2001) and Cincinnati (2002), catching 285 passes for 4,374 yards and 26 touchdowns, averaging 15.3 yards per reception.  He also gained 160 yards on 22 rushes with one score.

Westbrook was inducted into CU’s Athletic Hall of Fame in its Class of 2016, and was the most valuable player in the 1995 East-West Shrine All-Star game.  He was born July 7, 1972 in Detroit and graduated with a degree in Communications.

This year’s inductees in the 2020 Class were selected from a national ballot of 76 players and five coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision, the 101 players and 33 coaches from the divisional ranks and the NFF Veterans Committee candidates.

“We are extremely proud to announce the 2020 College Football Hall of Fame Class,” said Archie Manning, NFF Chairman and a 1989 College Football Hall of Famer from Mississippi. “Each of these men has established himself among the absolute best to have ever played or coached the game, and we look forward to immortalizing their incredible accomplishments.”

In addition to the official induction ceremony in New York City, all inductees will also be recognized at their respective collegiate institutions this fall with NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salutes, presented by Fidelity Investments. Their accomplishments will be forever immortalized at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.  The announcement official announcement was made during the 10 a.m. MDT “SportsCenter” on ESPN2.

“We want to thank ESPN for the opportunity to announce the 2020 College Football Hall of Fame Class during ‘SportsCenter,'” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell, who also happens to be a 1970 CU graduate. “Today’s announcement shines a light on the accomplishments of some of college football’s greatest legends.”


The 2020 HOF ClassLomas Brown (OT, Florida); Keith Byars (RB, Ohio State); Eric Crouch (QB, Nebraska); Eric Dickerson (RB, SMU); Glenn Dorsey (DT, Louisiana State); Jumbo Elliott (OT, Michigan); Jason Hanson (PK, Washington State); E.J. Henderson (LB, Maryland); E.J. Junior (DE, Alabama); Steve McNair (QB, Alcorn State); Cade McNown (QB, UCLA); Leslie O’Neal (DT, Oklahoma State); Anthony Poindexter (DB, Virginia); David Pollack (DE, Georgia); Bob Stein (DE, Minnesota); Michael Westbrook (Colorado); Elmo Wright (WR, Houston).  Coaches: Dick Sheridan (Furman, N.C. State); Andy Talley (St. Lawrence, Villanova).

—–

March 10th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Darrin Chiaverini: “Spring is going to be a big evaluation”

From the Daily Camera … As head coach of the Colorado football team, Karl Dorrell will have his hand in all aspects of the program, but it’s a good bet that his influence will be most evident on offense, as he’s coached on that side of the ball for more than 30 years.

After being introduced as CU’s new coach on Feb. 24th, however, one of Dorrell’s first moves was to hand the keys of the offense to Darrin Chiaverini, who was named the coordinator.

CU’s receivers coach for the past four years (and co-offensive coordinator from 2016-18), Chiaverini is eager to regain the play-calling role he had in 2018, but there’s no question he’ll lean on his head coach and fellow assistants.

“At the end of the day, it’s got to have my identity, but I think we’ll have discussions as a staff and, obviously, we’ll have discussions with coach Dorrell,” Chiaverini said. “I feel like as a coordinator, you’ve got to have open discussions about what we feel is best for our personnel. Who are our best players, how can we help them be successful and build a scheme around them. That’s my philosophy as an offensive coach.”

… Spring will be particularly important for the three new coaches on offense – Taylor Embree (tight ends), Danny Langsdorf (quarterbacks) and Mitch Rodrigue (offensive line).

“Spring is going to be a big evaluation,” said Chiaverini, one of two returning offensive coaches, along with running backs coach Darian Hagan. “I would see less scheme and more evaluation of our players (this spring). I have a good feel for our roster, but for our assistant coaches that don’t, I want them to have honest evaluations about who we are, what we are and then we’ll build our scheme going forward in fall camp around that.”

Continue reading story here

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March 9th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Report: DL Antonio Alfano “suspended indefinitely” for violation of team rules

… Place in the “CU is not allowed to have nice things” file … 

Related … “Colorado suspends former five-star Alabama recruit Antonio Alfano for violation of team rules” … from CBS Sports (odd how CU only merits national coverage when it’s bad news) …

From the Daily Camera … When Antonio Alfano chose in November to transfer from Alabama to Colorado, he became the most highly-anticipated newcomer to the program in more than a decade.

When, or if, Alfano, a 6-foot-5, 280-pound defensive lineman, gets on the field in a Buffaloes’ uniform remains to be seen, however.

On Monday, CU issued a statement from head coach Karl Dorrell that said, “Antonio has been suspended indefinitely for violation of team rules.”

It’s another bump in the road for Alfano, a former five-star recruit who was rated by 247Sports.com as the No. 1 prospect in the country for the class of 2019.

Alfano, who grew up in New Jersey, went to three different high schools, playing two years at Bergen Catholic, his junior year at Rahway High School and his senior year at Colonia High School.

After graduating from high school in December of 2018, he signed with Alabama and had two sacks in the Crimson Tide spring game last year.

Alfano went through fall camp and then left Alabama in September, entered the NCAA transfer portal in October.

“I just know that the guy basically quit,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said in mid-September to AL.com. “He quit going to class. He quit coming here. We tried to encourage him. We tried to help him. We had tried to set up counseling sessions with him to help him every way we could. … But he didn’t respond to any of the things, so until he responds, you just have to assume the guy quit.”

Continue reading story here

Karl Dorrell: “It’s not just a product on the field. You’re trying to help shape young men to be great young men”

From CUBuffs.com … When Karl Dorrell interviewed for the Colorado coaching job, he had all the right answers for Buffaloes Athletic Director Rick George‘s questions.

But Dorrell also had some questions for George, stemming from his first experience as a head coach at UCLA. There were some issues there that Dorrell wanted to make sure didn’t exist if he took the job at Colorado — and George had all the right answers as well.

Not all of them involved football.

“We talked in the interview about some very specific things,” Dorrell said. “It wasn’t just the football piece. There were things from my experience that I didn’t have when I was in this seat before. That was really important. We have those pieces in place here because Rick felt in recent history they were short in certain areas, and we’ve made those accommodations.”

One of those areas that was a key piece to the puzzle for Dorrell was CU’s strong Psychological Health and Performance Department. A firm believer that mental health is an important component to a student-athlete’s overall well-being, Dorrell wanted to be sure CU offered that kind of support.

George was able to point out that CU has become a national leader in that area, earning recognition across the nation for its efforts in helping student-athletes maintain good health in every regard — mental and physical.

“The mental health aspect is a critical, critical piece with these young student athletes,” Dorrell said. “Because they are bigger than average students in terms of size and athleticism, you think they are these big, mature grown men. But they are still shaping their mindset. That’s what college is for. They are learning on and off the field. They’re learning about real-life events and issues that are going to occur and the solutions .”

Continue reading story here

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March 8th

… CU in a few minutes …

Darrin Chiaverini to call the plays this fall – no “co” before his coordinator title

From the Daily Camera … Darrin Chiaverini interviewed for the head coaching position and believed he was the best man for the job. It hurt when he didn’t get it, but Dorrell – Chiaverini’s position coach when he played at CU from 1995-98 – made him offer: stay on staff as offensive coordinator and receivers coach.

“Yeah no question (there were mixed emotions),” Chiaverini said. “I told that to coach Dorrell. Obviously, I was disappointed for my situation, but I was excited for coach Dorrell. Our history together at Colorado, I know he’s a good person and he’s a good football coach.

“I think that’s normal to go through those human emotions, being disappointed, but also being excited for someone else.”

Chiaverini, 42, has pushed his disappointment aside for the excitement of his new role.

Hired by former coach Mike MacIntyre in December of 2015 as co-offensive coordinator and receivers coach, Chiaverini held that position for three seasons. He took over play calling duties in 2018, but MacIntyre was fired with one game left in that season. Tucker was hired that December and kept Chiaverini on staff, but no longer as a coordinator; he coached receivers and added the title of assistant head coach.

Now, Chiaverini is back in the coordinator role – although there’s no “co” next to his title this time – and he gets a second chance to call the plays. It’s not the head coaching job he wanted, but it’s a promotion and a chance to work with Dorrell, whom he has respected for years.

“It’s good that we have history together,” Chiaverini said. “There’s a trust factor between both of us, having him be my position coach in college. Obviously I was excited for coach Dorrell when he got the job and knew that this could be a good working relationship for both of us.”

Continue reading story here

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March 7th

… CU in a few minutes … 

NFL.com mock draft: Davion Taylor up to third round; Shenault down to second

From NFL.com … Tua Tagovailoa at No. 2. It could happen!

The Washington Redskins face the same dilemma that the Arizona Cardinals encountered in 2019 with Josh Rosen and Kyler Murray: Do they trade the quarterback they drafted in the first round a year ago (Dwayne Haskins, in this case) and select a more talented player at the position?

In this mock, I say yes. New head coach Ron Rivera has to make the call that is best for his team’s future. He can’t worry about the resources used on players before he arrived.

Coaches are under pressure to provide winning results in a hurry. They do not have time to wait for a player they didn’t draft to fulfill his promise. To paraphrase Bill Parcells, coaches are usually not too keen on having their cooking judged on groceries provided by the previous regime.

This mock also shows some different blood in Round 3 compared with my previous version, as the NFL Scouting Combine helped settle some tiebreakers between prospects battling for positioning in the back end of Day 2 (Rounds 2-3).

CU picks:

Laviska Shenault, WR … Second round, 12th pick (No. 44 overall), to Indianapolis Colts

Davion Taylor, LB … Third round, 35th pick (No. 99 overall), to Baltimore Ravens

 

—–

March 6th 

… CU in a few minutes … 

*Video – Brett Maxie talks about his coaching philosophy*

From YouTube … Brett Maxie talks about his philosophy of coaching the defensive backfield … “The first is calls and communication … alignment and assignment is critical … you have to know what to do and how to do it … and then the stance, because we are starting in a disadvantaged position – we’re starting backwards … If you can’t bounce back from adversity, then there is no point in being a defensive back …”

 

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March 5th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Report: CU has hired tenth assistant coach, former NFL coach Brett Maxie

From the Daily Camera … Colorado is adding a long-time NFL player and coach to its staff.

According to Buffzone sources, CU and new head football coach Karl Dorrell are expected to hire Brett Maxie as a secondary coach.

Dorrell, introduced as head coach on Feb. 24, has now completed his 10-member assistant staff, although CU has not confirmed or announced any outside hires.

BuffZone has previously reported that Taylor Embree (tight ends), Danny Langsdorf (quarterbacks), Demetrice Martin (secondary), Mitch Rodrigue (offensive line) and Chris Wilson (defensive line) are expected to join Dorrell’s staff.

Maxie, 58, worked last season as the defensive coordinator at IMG Academy in Florida. He spent 19 of the previous 21 seasons coaching in the NFL. Most recently, he was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defensive backs coach from 2016-18.

Prior to joining the Bucs, Maxie had his only previous stop as a college coach, spending two years (2014-15) working with defensive backs at Vanderbilt. In 2014 at Vandy, Maxie worked with Dorrell, who was the offensive coordinator for the Commodores that season.

Continue reading story here

Jim Rome of CBS Radio interviews CU head coach Karl Dorrell

… The twelve-minute interview can be found here

Eleven Buffs to participate in CU’s Pro Timing Day

From CUSportsNation.com … CUSportsNation spoke with Steven Montez’s agent, Aj Vaynerchuk, on Wednesday, who said that Montez indeed will take part in Colorado’s Pro Day.

Per Vaynerchuk, Montez will participate in all throwing drills and exercises, but will not run a 40-yard dash. At the NFL Combine last week, MOntez posted an impressive 4.58-second time in the 40.

Below is a look at the 11 players who are slated to participate next Wednesday.

Offense
NamePosition
Beau BisharatRB/TE
Tony BrownWR
Arlington HambrightOT
Tim LynottC
Steven MontezQB
Jack ShutackOT
Defense
NamePosition
Delrick Abrams, Jr.CB
Mikial OnuS
Davion TaylorLB
Alex TchangamLB
Special Teams
NamePosition
Alex KinneyK/P

 

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March 4th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Class of 2020: Jason Harris “all in”; William Anglen granted a release from his NLI

… Not a super surprise to lose Anglen, whose only ties to CU were through Mel Tucker and Tucker’s relationship with Anglen’s high school coach. No bad feelings, especially if, as reported, the move is due to a family illness … 

From the Daily Camera … It was the family feeling of the program that led Jason Harris to sign with Colorado in December.

When the head of that family suddenly bolted for Michigan State, Harris and the rest of CU’s 2020 football recruiting class was put in a tough spot.

Luckily for the Buffs, Mel Tucker’s decision to leave CU after one season as head coach hasn’t done much damage to what has been the program’s best recruiting class since joining the Pac-12.

CU introduced new head coach Karl Dorrell on Feb. 24. He and the four assistants he is retaining from Tucker’s staff – Darrin Chiaverini (offensive coordinator/receivers), Darian Hagan (running backs), Brian Michalowski (outside linebackers) and Tyson Summers (defensive coordinator) – have done their best to keep the 2020 recruits on board.

“I’m feeling pretty great (about CU),” said Harris, a four-star outside linebacker from Gilbert, Ariz., told Buffzone this week. “Coach Dorrell seems like a great guy.”

… Per NCAA rules, a player can request a release from his national letter of intent (NLI). If CU grants that release, the player is free to go to another school. If CU denies the request, the player can file an appeal.

According to CU, defensive back William Anglen has asked for and been granted a release from his NLI. Tucker’s long-time connection to Anglen’s coach, Ted Ginn at Glenville High School, helped CU to sign him, but Anglen asked for the release because of a family illness and not because of the coaching change, according to CU.

Continue reading story here

Report: CU has found its quarterbacks coach, Danny Langsdorf

From the Daily Camera … He has coached the all-time leading passers at two Power 5 schools and worked for a season with a potential NFL Hall of Famer.

Now, Danny Langsdorf will be coaching the quarterbacks at Colorado.

BuffZone has been able to confirm a FootballScoop.com report that Langsdorf will join Karl Dorrell’s staff with the Buffaloes after a brief stint at UNLV.

Langsdorf, 47, has been in coaching for 23 years, and just two months ago was hired as quarterbacks coach at UNLV. He was the quarterbacks coach at Fresno State last season and an offensive analyst at Oregon in 2018.

While he’s bounced around a bit in the past two years, Langsdorf’s career includes nine seasons (2005-13) as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Oregon State and three years (2015-17) in the same role at Nebraska. In both of those stops, he worked for head coach Mike Riley.

Langsdorf, in fact, has spent 15 of his 23 seasons as a coach with Riley. He got his first full-time job as a coach working for Riley as Oregon State’s tight ends coach from 1997-98. The two worked together in 2002 with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints.

While the offensive coordinator at Oregon State, Langsdorf recruited and coached Sean Mannion, who threw for an Oregon State-record 13,600 yards in his career. At the time, that was the Pac-12 record.

OSU has had nine 3,000-yard seasons in its history, with four coming during Langsdorf’s time as coordinator (by three different quarterbacks).

Continue reading story here

Langsdorf’s resume:

1996 Cal Lutheran (GA)
1997–1998 Oregon State (TE)
1999 Edmonton Eskimos (WR)
2000–2001 Edmonton Eskimos (OC/QB)
2002 New Orleans Saints (OA/QC)
2003–2004 New Orleans Saints (asst. WR/ST)
2005–2013 Oregon State (OC/QB)
2014 New York Giants (QB)
2015–2017 Nebraska (OC/QB)
2018 Oregon (OA)
2019-Fresno State (QB)
2020-present UNLV (PGC/QB)

CU 2020 Coaching staff ... So far, CU has announced four coaches being retained from previous coach Mel Tucker’s staff, and five additions have been reported, but not announced by CU.

CU’s assistant coaches:

Offense

Darrin Chiaverini – Coordinator/receivers*

Taylor Embree – Tight ends

Darian Hagan – Running backs*

Danny Langsdorf – Quarterbacks

Mitch Rodrigue – Offensive line

Defense

Tyson Summers – Coordinator*

Demetrice Martin – Secondary

Brian Michalowski – Outside linebackers*

Chris Wilson – Defensive line

(* Coaches retained from previous staff)

CU has one more spot to fill on the staff of 10 assistants. Most likely, the final assistant will be on defense, coaching either inside linebackers or secondary.

Dorrell: Buffs may be in the market for a graduate transfer quarterback

CU athletic director Rick George and new head coach Karl Dorrell took questions from season ticket holders on a conference call Wednesday. Some highlights:

— Coach Dorrell, when asked about departed Blake Stenstrom, who left for the Transfer Portal before Dorrell was hired, indicated that he had not spoken with Stenstrom, but didn’t complete rule out the possibility that Stenstrom could return. Dorrell also indicated that CU could be in the market for a graduate transfer quarterback, as there will only be two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster heading into this fall;

— When asked about raising additional funds to pay more for assistant coaches, Rick George said that they were engaged in fund-raising to help make up the over $600,000 difference between Mel Tucker’s budgeted pool of dollars for assistant coaches and what Karl Dorrell has been given to work with;

— Dorrell indicated that he was certainly aware of the discrepancy in coverage between the SEC and the Pac-12 (having been on the east coast for most of the last decade), and the best way to get attention for CU and the Pac-12 was to build a relevant program;

— When asked if CU was going to return to a power running game, Dorrell indicated that he wanted a balanced offense. He also said that, as a former receiver, that the Buffs were definitely going to throw the ball. He said he wants a physical team, and he knows that starts in the weight room (no confirmation as to Drew Lewis returning as strength and conditioning coordinator);

— Dorrell sees spring practices as a time for competition, with everyone on the roster being evaluated. He said that he believes that the summer is more important. Everyone on the team will be around this summer, and that is when teams go from being contenders to champions;

— Dorrell said his meetings with current players on the roster have gone well, and that the incoming Recruiting Class has held together. He said that he and his coaches would be pushing the envelope to win now … “It’s not what you say, it’s what you do” that counts in the end.

Laviska Shenault disappearing from some draft boards (New Orleans Saints may be best option)

From CBS Sports … Every year after the NFL combine, a handful of prospects are pushed into the first round thanks to stellar workouts, and a few drop into the second round after underwhelming performances. This mock draft was completed with that phenomenon specifically in mind.

The draft order is now set. Position rankings are based on our composite prospect rankings.

Of the six mock drafts posted by CBS Sports, three did not have Laviska Shenault listed. The other three all had Shenault going to the New Orleans Saints with the 24th pick of the first round …

Josh Edwards … The Saints add Shenault to operate underneath Michael Thomas. New Orleans has to know that Drew Brees’ career is coming to an end soon after this season so they look to make a splash while their Super Bowl window remains open.

R. J. White … Shenault is the type of receiver that can let Sean Payton get creative with how he’s deployed, but no matter how he’s used, he’ll help take some pressure off Michael Thomas.

Tom Fornelli … The Saints need somebody else at WR to take the load off Michael Thomas and Shenault might just be the perfect complement.

—–

March 3rd

… CU in a few minutes … 

Karl Dorrell: From warp speed to “just fast”

From the Daily Camera … Every day that Karl Dorrell shows up to his new office, he marvels at the view outside his window of the Flatirons rising above Folsom Field.

Only for a quick moment, however.

Dorrell hasn’t had much time to do anything outside of work since he was introduced as Colorado’s new head football coach on Feb. 24th.

“It was warp speed early, but now it’s just fast,” Dorrell told Buffzone on Tuesday. “It happened really fast. I’m just really excited. We’re building our staff, we’re hiring people, we’re interviewing our players. There’s a lot of stuff going on, so I’ve been very busy.”

… Dorrell said he’s already individually met with all the players and he’s impressed with their commitment.

“They want to win,” Dorrell said. “Their attitude is great. They’ve had a really good offseason. So, when Mel left to take the new job, they stayed together and had a really good offseason of working and staying together and I told them I was very appreciative of that. We’re going to build up this team with the attitude of trying to be very successful this first season. The staff is going to represent that and dedicate themselves to being great teachers and getting our systems in.”

Continue reading story here

Also … Although the 15-practice spring schedule is still being finalized, Dorrell said there will be some practices open to media and/or fans. “Obviously it’s not going to be open all the time, but we want you guys to come out and see what we do,” he said. … CU will hold its annual pro timing day on March 11 for the 2019 seniors who are looking to play professionally.

CU recruiting budget 7th in the Pac-12; 8th in Pac-12 AP poll appearances in past five years

From SportsPac-12 … Money Spent on CFB Recruiting by Public Pac-12 Schools in 2019 per @AD_University

  • $1.2M—Oregon
  • $1.1M—Utah
  • $903K—UCLA
  • $809K—Washington
  • $775K—Colorado
  • $765K—Arizona
  • $747K—OSU
  • $716K—Cal
  • $525K—ASU
  • $504K—WSU
  • *Stanford, USC – Private institutions which don’t report … but rest assured that their recruiting budgets exceed that of CU

Also from SportsPac-12

Total Appearances in AP Football Poll in Last 5 Years (with Highest Rank) …

  • 54—Washington (4)
  • 51—Utah (3)
  • 44—Stanford (3)
  • 39—Oregon (5)
  • 38—USC (3)
  • 34—WSU (7)
  • 13—UCLA (7)
  • 11—Colorado (9)
  • 7—ASU (15)
  • 7—Cal (15)
  • 5—Arizona (16)
  • 0—OSU

Rushing Touchdowns in Last 4 Years …

  • 1. Oregon, 123
  • 2. Washington, 110
  • 3. Arizona, 107
  • 4. Utah, 104
  • 5. ASU, 93
  • 6. OSU, 86
  • 7. USC, 82
  • 8. Colorado, 81
  • 9. Stanford, 75
  • 10. UCLA, 70
  • 11. WSU, 67
  • 12. Cal, 62

Opponent Rushing Touchdowns Allowed in Last 4 Years

  • 1. Utah, 50
  • 2. Washington, 55
  • 3. Stanford, 67
  • 4. Colorado, 70
  • 5. USC, 74
  • 6. Oregon, 75
  • 7. Cal, 82
  • 8. ASU, 88
  • 9. WSU, 95
  • 10. UCLA, 108
  • 11. Arizona, 110
  • 12. OSU, 118

Report: Most of the CU Recruiting Class of 2020 remains in the fold

From Adam Munsterteiger at BuffStampede.com … During the 12-day stretch between Mel Tucker‘s disappearing act and Karl Dorrell‘s arrival in Boulder, Colorado’s highly regarded 2020 recruiting class was in an awkward position. While serving as the Buffaloes’ interim head coach, Darrin Chiaverini and the remaining coaches at CU put in a lot of work to keep those signees patient.

“I have been telling them, ‘You chose CU because you love Boulder. You chose it because you love the University,’” Chiaverini told BuffStampede.com during the transition period. “There are a lot of great people still here in place and we are going to come together, and we are going to build something special together.”

… While building his staff and meeting with Colorado’s current players, Dorrell found time to reach out to each of CU’s 2020 signees individually and the response has been positive for the Buffaloes.

Christian GonzalezCaleb FauriaJordan BerryDevin GrantToren PittmanMontana Lemonious-CraigKeith MillerGerad LichtenhanLouis Passarello and Jayle Stacks all told BuffStampede.com they were solid with CU last week.

Continue reading story here

—–

March 2nd

… CU in a few minutes … 

Third hire of the day … offensive line coach Mitch Rodrigue

Link to Rodrigue’s Louisiana bio

From the Daily Camera … Mitch Rodrigue has spent the past two seasons coaching high school football in Alabama, but has more than 25 years of college coaching experience. A graduate of Nicholls State, Rodrigue coached the offensive line for seven years at Louisiana (2011-17) and three years at South Alabama (2008-10).

During a nine-year run at Southern Mississippi (1999-07), he coached offensive line, as well as tight ends and running backs for one season. Prior to Southern Miss, Rodrigue coached at Nicholls State for six years, working as offensive coordinator, as well as line and tight ends coach.

Rodrigue has been a part of teams that earned 14 bowl invitations and he has had several linemen go on to the NFL, including Houston Texans tackle Chris Clark, who played five seasons (2010-14) with the Denver Broncos.

… and more on Demetrice Martin …

Link to Martin’s Arizona bio

Martin, 47, has spent the past two seasons at Arizona, which has revamped its defensive staff. Martin, who has coached the Wildcats’ cornerbacks, was expected to be the only holdover from Arizona’s 2019 defensive staff.

Martin has spent his entire 19-year coaching career in the West, including the last 11 years in the Pac-12. Prior to Arizona, Martin coached six seasons (2012-17) at UCLA, working with the secondary, while adding the title of assistant head coach in his last four years. From 2009-11, Martin coached defensive backs at Washington. He also spent the 2006-07 seasons as a defensive graduate assistant at Southern California.

Since 2009, defensive backs coached by Martin have collected 20 all-conference honors. A California native, Martin starred at Muir High School in Pasadena before playing receiver and cornerback at Michigan State from 1992-95. He led the Big Ten with seven interceptions in 1994, earning first-team all-conference honors.

… and more on Chris Wilson … 

Wilson, 51, has been a long-time defensive line coach, including from 2000-04 at CU, where he helped the Buffs win three Big 12 North titles during head coach Gary Barnett’s tenure. Most recently, he coached with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2016-18, helping them to a win in Super Bowl LII, and with the Arizona Cardinals last season.

At CU, Wilson’s group included Justin Bannan, Tyler Brayton, Brandon Dabdoub, Matt McChesney, Gabe Nyenhuis, Sam Wilder and Abraham Wright, who all played in the NFL.

“He’s like a father to me,” McChesney told Buffzone. “Best coach I’ve ever had. He’s going to get the most out of that group. That group consequently has some NFL players on it. I know one thing: those boys are gonna work like they never have in their life. Get ready to be great.”

Regents approve Karl Dorrell contract, 7-2 (Kroll and Shoemaker – no surprise – vote against)

From the Daily Camera … Karl Dorrell is now officially the new head football coach of the Colorado Buffaloes.

On Monday, the University of Colorado Board of Regents approved the five-year, $18 million contract for Dorrell, who was introduced as head coach on Feb. 24.

Dorrell, 56, becomes the highest paid coach in CU history.

The board voted 7-2, with regents Jack Kroll and Linda Shoemaker voting against the contract.

… Dorrell’s contract runs through Dec. 31, 2024. He is set to make $3.2 million in base and supplemental salary this season, with annual raises of $200,000. He will be paid $4 million in base/supplemental salary in the final year of the contract.

… If Dorrell terminates the contract before Dec. 31 of this year, he would owe CU $10 million. He would owe $7.5 million for terminating the contract before Dec. 31, 2021; $5 million for terminating the contract before Dec. 31, 2022; $4 million for terminating the deal before Dec. 31, 2023; and $3 million for terminating the deal before Dec. 31, 2024.

In addition, the contract includes a salary pool of $3.8 million for the assistant coaches, an increase of $3.2 million under Tucker.

Base/supplemental salary:

2020 – $3,200,000

2021 – $3,400,000

2022 – $3,600,000

2023 – $3,800,000

2024 – $4,000,000

A few of the incentives in Dorrell’s contract:

  • $50,000 if football team attains APR rating of 965 after each academic year
  • $50,000 if the team wins six games in 2020, and $25,000 for each win after that
  • $50,000 if the team wins seven games in the second through fifth years, and $25,000 for each win after that in those years
  • $100,000 if the team is invited to a non-New Year’s Day bowl game
  • $175,000 if the team is invited to a New Year’s Day Six bowl game
  • $450,000 if the team is invited to a College Football Playoff bowl game
  • $750,000 if the team wins the national championship
  • $25,000 if the team wins the Pac-12 South championship
  • $50,000 if the team wins the Pac-12 championship
  • $50,000 if Dorrell is selected Pac-12 coach of the year
  • $100,000 if Dorrell is selected national coach of the year

Continue reading story here

Background information on CU’s new assistant coaches

From BuffStampede.com

Demetrice Martin … An all-conference cornerback during his college career at Michigan State, Martin has been coaching defensive backs in the Pac-12 the last 11 years. He served as the cornerbacks coach at Washington from 2009-11, was the defensive backs coach at UCLA from 2012-17, and was the cornerbacks coach in Tucson in 2018 and 2019.

The 47-year old Martin was the primary or secondary recruiter for seven of Arizona’s signees the previous two years, and ranked as their top recruiter last cycle. He spent time recruiting in both California and Texas for the Wildcats.

Chris Wilson … The 51-year old Wilson spent the previous four years as an assistant coach in the NFL, for the Philadelphia Eagles and Cardinals, but prior to that he had many successful stops as a defensive line coach at the college level. He was at USC in 2014 and 2015, at Georgia in 2013, at Mississippi State from 2010-12 and at Oklahoma from 2005-09.

Wilson ranked as the nation’s 10th best recruiter, and the third best in the Pac-12, while on the Trojans’ staff during the 2015 cycle.

Continue reading story here

Report: CU to hire away DB coach from Arizona; bring back a DL coach from the Barnett era

From the Daily Camera … Colorado is taking a secondary coach from a Pac-12 South rival and a defensive line coach from its past.

According to Buffzone sources, CU and new head coach Karl Dorrell are expected to hire Demetrice Martin to coach defensive backs and Chris Wilson to coach the defensive line.

Martin, 47, has spent the past two seasons at Arizona, which has revamped its defensive staff. Martin, who has coached the Wildcats’ cornerbacks, was the only one of Arizona’s defensive assistants not fired during the 2019 season. He was expected to coach the Wildcats’ entire secondary this season.

Wilson, 51, has been a long-time defensive line coach, including from 2000-04 at CU, where he helped the Buffs win three Big 12 North titles during head coach Gary Barnett’s tenure. Most recently, he coached with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2016-18, helping them to a win in Super Bowl LII, and with the Arizona Cardinals last season.

Continue reading story here

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March 1st

… CU in a few minutes … 

Pat Rooney: Dorrell’s best hire to date not Chiaverini, but Summers

From the Daily Camera … The first week in office was a predictably busy one for new Colorado football coach Karl Dorrell.

When the 27th full-time coach in CU Buffs history met the media and CU brass alike at his introductory press conference on Monday, Dorrell said he would move swiftly to fill his staff, including making the tough decisions on which Buffs coaches might be retained from Mel Tucker’s staff.

Dorrell wasn’t kidding. By the end of week No. 1 of the Dorrell era, many of those decisions had been settled. That includes retaining the most important figure from last year’s staff in terms of maintaining some of the momentum the Buffs had gathered by the end of the 2019 season.

That man isn’t Darrin Chiaverini. It’s defensive coordinator Tyson Summers.

While it certainly is a boon for CU’s recruiting efforts that Chiaverini is back in the fold at a program he loves to sell and promote, as well as being the guy best suited to making sure the Buffs’ impressive recruiting class remains intact during the staff transition, it is the retention of Summers that is likely to make the biggest on-field impact for the Buffs.

The Buffs’ defense was a train wreck for much of last season. Roster defections from the previous spring after Tucker took over, combined with some injury issues, presented Summers with a monumental challenge to start his first season in Boulder. Yet much of the enthusiasm garnered by the end of Tucker’s lone season at the helm was due in large part to the work of Summers, who had his defense playing much better down the stretch.

Continue reading story here ..

The Light Shines On – CU- Boulder

This video has been posted before, but may be worth a second look in light of how difficult a February the Buff Nation has endured. Time to look forward, and enjoy a great March for CU athletics!

Bill Marolt … “When you preach excellence, it becomes a culture of excellence … What we’re talking about here is community. We’re talking about family. We’re talking about team” …

Set aside 30 minutes of your day to enjoy this video … you won’t be sorry!

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February 29th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Tyler Lytle ready for his chance: “I’ve really grown mentally over the past three years”

From the Daily Camera … Entering his fourth season at CU, Tyler Lytle has thrown just six career passes because he’s been slotted behind Steven Montez since coming to Boulder. Montez never missed a game and rarely missed a play over the last three years, but is now in preparation for the NFL Draft.

Lytle, for the first time, has a real shot at becoming the Buffs’ starter. Going into spring practices, which are slated to start March 16, Lytle and true freshman Brendon Lewis will battle for the job.

“Now it’s wide open,” Lytle said. “It’s for anybody’s taking, so I’ve got to step up as a leader, especially. With the seniors that left last year, there’s a little bit of a hole there (in leadership) and especially as the most senior quarterback, it’s my job to fill it.”

Lytle’s preparation for this moment began years ago.

… Lytle enrolled at CU in January of 2017, barely a month after the Buffs played in the Pac-12 title game. Montez was the clear favorite to be the starter in 2017, won the job and held it for three years. Still, Lytle stayed ready.

“I always came out and gave it my hardest and prepared like I was a starter throughout my first three years,” Lytle said.

To this point, Lytle has had a grand total of two opportunities to throw passes in a game at CU.

Continue reading story here

Report: CU to hire Taylor Embree as tight ends coach

Here is a link to a San Francisco 49ers video of Taylor and his father, Jon, taking about coaching tight ends

DNVR’s Ryan Koenigsberg was the first to report that Taylor Embree will be hired as CU’s tight end coach, replacing Al Pupunu, who served as CU’s tight ends coach in 2019.

From a tweet from Koenigsberg: CU is getting a well-regarded up-and-comer in the coaching world.  Just the other day an NFL coach was telling me that—while Jon is rightfully considered the best TE coach in the NFL—Taylor didn’t get enough credit publicly for the work he did with Kittle and the other SF TEs.

From Embree’s San Francisco 49ers bio:

Taylor Embree is in his fourth season in the NFL and third with the 49ers as an offensive quality control coach. He joined San Francisco after spending the 2016 season as a defensive assistant with the Kansas City Chiefs.

With Kansas City, Embree worked with a Chiefs defense that led the NFL with 104 passes defensed and tied for the most interceptions (18). Prior to his year in Kansas City, Embree was a graduate assistant/offensive assistant for the UCLA football program in 2014.

Embree played collegiately at UCLA for four seasons (2008-11) where he ranked third on the team in receptions (20) as a senior after either leading or ranking second in catches and receiving yards in each of his first three seasons. He appeared in all 50 games (32 starts) at UCLA and finished with 137 receptions for 1,776 yards (13.0 average) and four touchdowns.

He left UCLA ranked eighth on the school’s all-time list for receptions and 13th in receiving yards. After going undrafted in the 2012 NFL Draft, Embree signed with the San Diego Chargers where he spent training camp with the team.

A native of Denver, CO, Embree attended Blue Valley West (Overland, KS) HS and is the son of current 49ers assistant head coach/tight ends coach Jon Embree. He and his wife, Kristina, have one son, Grayson.

Here is a link to the story of Embree’s playing career at UCLA.

Laviska Shenault to have surgery – first round selection in jeopardy

From a tweet from Adam Schefter from ESPN … Colorado WR Laviska Shenault, who has been dealing with core muscle injury and inflammation of the pubic bone, will have surgery that is expected to sideline him 4-6 weeks, per league source. Despite the injury, Shenault ran a 4.55 at the combine. But with no improvement, surgery.

This is contrary to a story from ESPN on February 12th … Colorado’s Laviska Shenault, a top wide receiver in the upcoming NFL draft, has been diagnosed with osteitis pubis — inflammation of the pubic bone — league sources told ESPN.

The diagnosis, found during a visit at Dr. William Meyers’ office in Philadelphia, actually is good news for Shenault, who will not need surgery and hopes to participate in this month’s combine and then at his pro day March 11.

Shenault needs to rest the nagging injury. According to his agent, Damarius Bilbo, “That’s been difficult because of his competitive nature and he has been waiting on this moment.”

League sources were concerned that Shenault suffered a core injury, which also affected him last season at Colorado. Bilbo said he is not worried and believes that, with a little rest, Shenault will have the chance to show NFL evaluators why he deserves to be a top pick.

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February 28th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Graduate transfer linebacker Brendan Pyne enters transfer portal

From the Daily Camera … Brendan Pyne, who enrolled at Colorado last month with plans to join the football team as a walk-on, has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

A graduate transfer from Brown, Pyne has one year of eligibility and was planning to play at CU until head coach Mel Tucker left the Buffs for Michigan State earlier this month. Tucker was replaced this week by Karl Dorrell.

“I really like Colorado and think coach (Dorrell) is going to do great here, but I came here for coach Tucker and need to do what’s best for me,” Pyne told Buffzone. “It was hard because I really like the guys here. Colorado and everyone involved in football has been great.”

Pyne said he will finish the semester at CU and hopes to make a decision soon on where he will play next year. Going into the transfer portal does not mean a player has to leave, so it’s possible he could still play at CU if he elects to do that.

A 6-foot, 205-pound linebacker at Brown, Pyne was a three-year starter. He led the Bears in tackles in 2019. Over the last three years, he had 178 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and a sack, along with six pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

Fan Forum with Karl Dorrell and Rick George set for March 4th

Press release from CUBuffs.com … We would like to invite you to an exclusive Live Telephone Fan Forum with CU football coach Karl Dorrell and Athletic Director Rick George on Wednesday, March 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Joining the call is easy. All you need to do to participate is answer your phone on Wednesday, March 4 a little before 11:30 a.m. and you’ll be automatically connected. Have your questions for Coach Dorrell and Rick George ready!

If you miss the call or don’t get connected for some reason, you can dial 1-877-229-8493 and enter pin 111378 to join the call anytime after 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

We hope you’ll join us for this exciting event!

Regent Linda Shoemaker back on the warpath

… Be prepared for another grandstanding moment when the Karl Dorrell contract comes up for a vote on Monday … Shoemaker is not running for reelection, but for those of you living in the state of Colorado which have Regent elections coming up, please pay attention to what the candidates are saying … 

From Forbes magazine … Linda Shoemaker, a member of the University of Colorado Board of Regents, has been a passionate advocate for education almost her entire life. She was elected to the Colorado Board by the citizens of Colorado, one of only four states in the nation where regents are elected.

She ran from District 2, which is Boulder, Colorado, a place she has called home for 50 years. She freely admits she has what she calls an “outlier opinion” when it comes to athlete safety, particularly when it comes to college football players. On a recent podcast, she told me:

“The university athletic department gives regents football tickets, so we have four tickets and my family was using them. I would go occasionally but for me, in the beginning, it was just social. I enjoyed being with different family and friends, donors and other regents, for sure. But once I started paying attention to the game, I started becoming very concerned. I just do not believe that it can be played safely the way we play it in the PAC 12. So I spent a lot of time talking to people in the athletic department, observing football practices, reading books on football, to try to understand as best I could what was going on.”

… In addition to her concerns about concussions, her comments to her fellow Regents included:

·     A Player’s Bill of Rights;

·     Long Term Health Insurance

·     Six Year Scholarships;

·     Restructuring of Reporting Lines for athletic department medical personnel

She added “I hope that other trustees will wake up more quickly than I did., and start talking about these issues. I was apparently the first Division I trustee to publicly question our football program. It’s so ingrained in the culture that it’s difficult to go against it.”

Continue reading story here

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February 27th

… CU in a few minutes … 

CU Press release: Four assistants to be retained on Dorrell staff (including Chiaverini; Hagan)

Press release from CUBuffs.com …  New University of Colorado head football coach Karl Dorrell announced Thursday morning that he will retain four assistant coaches from the previous Buffalo full-time staff.

Darrin ChiaveriniDarian HaganBrian Michalowski and Tyson Summers will all return and become members of Dorrell’s inaugural Colorado staff.   Their exact responsibilities will be determined once the remaining six assistant positions are filled, which Dorrell hopes to conclude sometime early next week.  He is currently researching and interviewing candidates while simultaneously meeting with the 97 players on CU’s roster.

“It’s always important if you can maintain some continuity during a coaching change,” Dorrell said.  “I’ve been around enough college and professional teams where doing so offers some stability.  I had great conversations with all four and while I haven’t determined their exact roles as of yet, I am excited that we share the same goals and vision for the program.  I am excited about all four and am looking forward to working with them.”

On CU’s previous staff under Mel Tucker, Chiaverini was assistant head coach and receivers coach, his fourth year on the CU staff overall, while Hagan was in his fourth year as running backs coach in his second stint as an assistant coach; he also coached the running backs for five years under Dan Hawkins from 2006-10.  Both lettered four seasons for the Buffaloes at the same positions they have gone on to coach.

Summers and Michalowski were in their first years at Colorado, Summers serving as defensive coordinator and safeties coach and Michalowski tutoring the outside linebackers.

Dorrell was named CU’s 27th head football coach last Sunday, replacing Tucker, who accepted the head coach position at Michigan State on Feb. 11.

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February 26th

… CU in a few minutes … 

Two defensive assistants retained; two assistants will not be returning

From the Daily Camera … Under the direction of Tyson Summers, the Colorado defense was vastly improved from the start of the 2019 season to the end.

Summers will get a chance to continue building the Buffaloes’ defense next season.

Buffzone confirmed through  multiple sources Wednesday that Summers and Brian Michalowski will be retained by new head football coach Karl Dorrell, who was hired on Sunday.

Summers will return for a second season as the Buffaloes’ defensive coordinator. He also coached safeties last year, but he might coach inside linebackers next year instead. Michalowski will return for his second season as the Buffs’ outside linebackers coach.

Decisions on receivers coach Darrin Chiaverini and running backs coach Darian Hagan were not final as of Wednesday evening.

Tight ends coach Al Pupunu and cornerbacks coach Travares Tillman will not be retained.

… On Monday, Dorrell didn’t discuss particular coaches he would have on staff, but emphasized the desire to have great teachers on his staff.

“That’s the quality in mind that sticks out, whether it’s the college level or the professional level,” Dorrell said. “I kind of will use my own intuition as to the style of coach I’m looking for as a teacher. I think I have a good background of looking at talent for that and we’re going to build it to make sure that those qualities are in place, whether it’s professionally or from the college level.”

Read full story here

Coach Dorrell on Darrin Chiaverini: “Darrin is fine … He is in the building”

“Darrin is fine,” CU head coach Karl Dorrell said during a radio interview with Nate Kreckman and Andy Lindahl on 92.5 FM (which you can listen to here) when asked about the future of assistant coach Darrin Chiaverini .

“He is in the building, so he is excited about where we are heading,” said Dorrell. “We have a great relationship in terms of where we’re heading. He is going to be fine. I don’t think there was any doubt of that.

“I know he had an opportunity to interview (for the head coaching job at Colorado) and I know that as a coach, and his coach, he is going to be here on our offense and be an integral part of our system. And part of my job as the head coach of this program is to promote and develop coaches to get opportunities like I have gotten.

“I am definitely going to continue that progress with him and obviously he’ll continue to do what he has done such a great job of, recruiting and developing players on his own,” Dorrell said of Chiaverini. “So, we’re going to continue to do that with him. And yes, we do plan on doing that with him and most of the people here in the building.”

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109 Replies to “Colorado Daily”

  1. Good find Stuart, this story highlights some of the things I was hoping for when I posted on his hiring, Dorrell was a young coach who accomplished more than he was being given credit for. Not that I’m claiming I knew any of this, I just felt there are more positives to his career since UCLA then the people that are being overly critical are seeing.

  2. Stuart
    Did you, like me, have to get backup off the floor when you saw Yardbarker’s coach ratings? KD even ahead of the great poop slinging MT. Is the yardbarker guy a CU alum?
    I, for one, dont think RG could have done any better hiring KD. He was between a rock and a hard place between the folks who knew they could get a better job down the line and all the other stale bread carousel riders who wouldnt stay here any longer than they had to either. On top of that were the last 2 coaches who were never all in with being in Boulder. MM enraged me when he hung on to his original assistant cast way too long and went and hired SEC guys who had been fired…all the time quoting his daddy Cutliffe.
    Looking forward I am extremely happy with the cohesion the players have shown. They demonstrated maturity when they decided not to ditch CU when MT ditched them. Already it sounds like KD can continue this band of brothers attitude. If Alfano isnt on board let him continue his slide into a garbage collector’s future at wheat field community college.
    Also happy with the hiring of Langsdorf. Maybe now we will get some real QB development when we need it most. Nothing against Lytle and Lewis. They just haven’t had a chance yet….which reminds me of our ol buddy Stenstrom who I was actually pulling for in the QB race and who probably shot himself in the foot by leaving.Maybe he will get squished by Alfano at some podunk stadium with 25 fans in the stand at a school whose highest degree is dental assistant.
    but I digress
    Seems to me the offense will suffer the most with the lack of spring training so once again KD and Langsdorf may be the right guys to get as much on track as possible for the season starts……..if it does because if the pandemic aint over football might be the last thing on our minds.

  3. The following excerpt from CU Sports Nation, about our new coach CB Martin, his brother, and new Buff Striker…
    “Striker’s presence on the Buffaloes continues the somewhat of a pipeline from Indy to Colorado that’s been present in recent years. Outgoing senior CB Delrick Abrams was an Independence alum, as is current junior LB Jamar Montgomery.

    On that note, it is interesting to observe that Martin in the younger brother of new Buffs CBs coach Demetrice Martin.

    Furthermore, the younger Martin coached with Michalowski at Garden City Community College in 2015 and also with CU TEs coach Taylor Embree at UCLA.

    How the Buffs will continue to recruit Independence players under Karl Dorrell’s new coaching staff remains to be seen, but if Martin is sure of one thing, it’s that the Buffs have gotten a heck of a player and young man in Striker, who fully has his priorities in line.”

  4. Should anyone really be surprised when you hear and read praise about KD? I know as I reflect back on this period starting with the hiring of MT and his abrupt abandonment of CU I have some thoughts that at least to me kinda clarify the whole deal.

    MT took the job sight unseen and when he arrived he continued to nod his head say the right things……”We can win here,” etc. etc. But really in the back of his mind was he thinking, FINAlly this is a pretty nice gig for my first head coach hire but let’s see how this goes? along comes MSU begging like a street urchin from the Oliver Dickens era and poof…….”what the hell, you bet I’ll take it” and there the MT era at CU is ended. “Thought this would be a good stepping stone but really didn’t think it would happen this fast.”

    Why am I not surprised or disappointed by the Karl Dorrell hire and that he is impressing player’s & their families? Think about it, we know a lot more about KD and what kind of person he is and what kind of coach he is. I haven’t read anything negative about him from the people that know him from his time in Boulder and Denver, and particularly those players. Wherever he has coached his players have thrived as young men and players. He and his wife built a house here for gosh sake and he never made a big deal out of it. Yes MT has coached under some very good coaches but so has KD. We Buff spectators should not make pre-judgements about KD, using the glass is only half-full formula. If anyone, after these disastrous years should know that circumstances at various places of employment can really make a difference in the outcome of a program under real good or bad coaches. CU has ridden that roller coaster over the years. I may be a little off but has anyone really done that well at UCLA for years? The jury is out on even the “Great” Chip Kelly (sarcasm intended).

    So in conclusion I must say that KD is NOT Chopped Liver by any means and I look forward to his success at CU in the coming years. One caveat however, with all that is going on in the country this year regarding the Coronavirus I don’t know what to anticipate from this upcoming season and am not going to honestly judge KD with what happens this year. It took the “Great” (No Sarcasm Intended) Bill McCartney a few years to turn things around and turnaround he did. KD I feel can also do the turnaround. “You put your left foot in, you put your left foot out, then you turnaround and that is what it’s all about.”

    1. So in conclusion, I must say I agree with you 100 %.
      As I look back on the previous coaches
      HWSRN
      Embo
      The Gardner
      The midnight mover,

      I can say I was excited about all of them……………………at first. New beginnings and excitement turned into ol crap and dispair.

      I am not excited about this hire as I was about the above .

      But I do have a quiet confidence that this is the big turn. It’s hard to explain but i just feel good about this hire.

      Go Buffs.

  5. Missing spring practices is going to hurt. Especially the buffs who need to be working with the coaches. Unfortunately, I don’t think this is going to be done in 3 or 4 weeks. This is going to take 6-9 months. The summer may slow it down a bit but I am mentally preparing for the outbreak to resurge in the fall. I really hope we can get a vaccine up and running by September.

  6. Thanks for the article on Brenden Rice, Stuart. Nice to have some positive stuff after everything that’s gone on. I am looking forward to the play by play guy yelling Brendon to Brenden ….or Lewis to Rice….. many many times in the next few years….or Lytle to Rice too

  7. Alfano=tool.
    Good luck in having a career in retail being a greeter or selling tools .
    Another 5 star not willing to work hard.
    I feel for the kid but he just needs to grow up
    Otherwise Eastern MS College is his next destination.

  8. Antonio Alfano may be one of those people who simply cannot get out of his own way. I live in New Jersey and was familiar with him from his HS days. The fact that he played at/attended three schools in four years might be a bit of tell. Two of the three schools he attended, Rahway High and Colonia High, are public high schools in neighboring towns. He reportedly transferred from Rahway to Colonia when his father moved from Rahway into Woodbridge Township, of which Colonia is a part.

    The third, Bergen Catholic, is a private school in northern New Jersey that often ends its season nationally-ranked. He started at BC and played I believe his first two high school seasons there.
    When he announced he was leaving BC for Rahway, the reported basis for the change of schools was the ever-popular “multitude of reasons”. It is a bit of an anomaly for a top-notch high school football player in NJ to leave one of the non-public football factories in north Jersey for a public school.

    As the late, great Yogi Berra once observed, around here it gets late early. It is starting to get late for this young man. I hope – for his own sake – whatever he needs to get figured out, he gets figured out.

    1. and you have t wonder why the great Nick Saban didn’t take that into consideration. He had to know. And of course the great Nick Saban (or his buddy Mel) wont admit he made a mistake. Winning at all costs sometimes prevents you from winning. not exactly a yogi-ism but thanks for passing the late/early one. Thats great. First time i have heard it. I think there is a book out there that covers em all which I need to get.

      1. Because nick has a team of them. As do all the top programs. He knew full well. He also knew he had some who would stick.

        It comes with the territory. Sadly.

        Go Buffs

  9. Seems like Alfano was using his grand mother’s death as an excuse for his behavior at Alabama. I say excuse because I read about other players who dedicate their careers to their loved ones who pass away and use it as motivation to succeed in their memory.
    Then again if his head really was messed up over his grandma’s passing Mel’s betrayal probably didn’t improve things either.
    If KD cant get him back close to 100% in maybe someone at swamp bottom community college can.

  10. Also, do we know what style of offense they plan to implement? Let’s hope the good ol jet sweep left, jet sweep right, pass on 3rd and 15, style is gone for good and does not get resurrected.

  11. Well Wikipedia had this to Say-His accomplishments include 2 suspensions from 2 universities (so far) before ever playing a game.

  12. BuffStampede reporting that Alfaro missed a bunch of winter work outs and was seriously late to his meeting with Dorrell. I think we had a 5 star that just was not that interested in playing football. No matter what level of talent you have you have to put in the work to be successful. Letting him stay in the program while you coddle and cajole him along could be poisonous in the locker room. I wonder how much coddling Gilliam hurt the team chemistry back in the day? I hope the kid finds his love for the game again, and the mental fortitude and discipline necessary to play this game at this level. With his talent he could be great. But until he finds those things we really do not need him on the team. I would rather go to war with the guys we have who are fully bought in. Johnson healthy, Sami and Lang with another year to develop. I am also excited to see if Sporraco has developed in his return. He had real promise before he left. He came back as a walk on, had to redshirt and served on the scout team all year. Adding him into the mix might add some great depth.

  13. Saban did not have glowing things to say about Alfano. Now he is suspended. Not a good sign. Maybe our new DL coach is setting down the law as he should be. IF this guy is another entitled, all about me guy, let’s get him out of here. If it isn’t serious, then maybe he will have an aha moment. If he goes somewhere else, he will be 0-2 with two different schools and a new school would think twice. Time for him to get his act together.

  14. Silver linings re Alfano:
    – KD is emphatically showing that being a big shot does not mean you live or play by different rules.
    – He’ll miss spring, but there is lots of time before fall. That should be enough opportunity to right whatever the wrong is.

    Has anyone checked for his name in arrest records?

    Fingers crossed on this one.

  15. Oops 4 star. Was thinking of Lynn Katoa, but not knowing circumstances shouldn’t compare. Hope it’s not that serious, but indefinite, especially for such a high recruit is not good.

    1. what is it with a lot of Buff big name recruits? If they weren’t loose cannons like Katoa they were busts like Ochs, Houston and Scott. Ryan Miller turned out OK.
      btw
      Is Katoa doing time somewhere?
      just googled him. looks like he is attending Adams State….close to the same as doing time

  16. I hope it’s nothing serious like the last 5 star that never played a down. Hope whatever it is that he gets it right.

  17. I feel like the gopher that keeps popping his head up and getting smacked with a mallet. Send Alfano to the liar.

    1. Yup, it does feel that way.

      Probably is a great addition. Probably not that great of a subtraction.

      Sheesh hope it works out for all involved

      Frigging 5 stars

      Buffs

  18. DC calling plays? Holy moly there carbonzo.

    Some comments that make sense eh?
    “perusing all-buffs allows you to understand the Buff fan’s inter fantasies, demons, and other stuff you don’t want to talk about

    But there are at least 4 intellectually non-challenged on that site. Hence.

    like to see what Chev can do with better personnel. Remember in 2018, he had OL Coach Adams rolling out Kaiser-Tonz-Pursell-Lynott-Haigler (Lynott coming off injury, Pursell young, Tonz and Haigler quit football with eligibility remaining), Lindsay was being replaced as the feature back, and Montez was, well, Montez. That was not an offense built for much success.

    Now that is the damn truth. Easy to forget that eh?

    And
    So far, the only sample size we have on Chev is 12 games in 2018 behind an absolutely abysmal offensive line, no TE, and a head case for a QB that refused to run or had any pocket presence. You had Viska and McMillan. Viska went down, McMillan got nicked up. Offense cratered. Play calling did look suspect toward the back half of the season, but when you can’t run up the middle or off tackle, and have no TE, good DCs are going to eat you up. And that’s what they did.

    Again the truth. Easy to not remember that too eh?

    At least he won’t be pushed by Mickey Mac to: 1) get that 1,000 yds for Trayvon; 2) always look for your one go-to guy; or 3) shut things down, when the score gets too high. Oh, almost forgot: Completely ignore your TE, except as a blocker.

    Just some good stuff to recall.

    Buffs.

    Note: Chev is gonna have a lotta help. Adams was a millstone around his neck. What a joke. The gardner a defensive coach never understood the offense Dang when you look back on it the Gardener was a 5 year pain in the arse.

    1. pain in the arse? is that all? What is our little herbivore doing these days? Interviewing with Bohn? Maybe even HWSRN?
      Never mind unless its so unimportant it wont be on google

  19. I like this quote from Bret most “if you have aspirations of getting to the nfl, I will do what I can to get you there. Obviously I can only impact a little of that, you’ve got to do the work, but I can give you the keys to the car”.

    Go Buffs

  20. Pleased with how the staff has filled out. All seem to be good, solid hires. Maybe this is what CU has needed for a while. Not splash that doesn’t pan out or stay but a solid group that can relate to players and each other, a good team of coaches. Seems like the players and new recruits are content. Let’s go, Buffs!

  21. looking at some of the QB’s success under Langsdorf makes me think he might be a better coach than anyone who has been here in the last 15 years. Too bad Montez graduated before he got here..

    1. I believe you are right. He is the perfect fit for Chev and the quarterbacks.

      Why am I feeling so giddy? Is it the shrooms? Or is it that the Mighty Buffs will be all new next year…………………………………..including Ralphie

      Up the Buffalo

      Note: It will be interesting what the gardners ” I have texted him and he responded” man has to say. Place yur bets

      1. This is what I say: Dorrell appears to be hiring teachers. I like it. Players still have to execute what’s taught better than the guy they are up against.

        Go Buffs

      2. The shrooms comment offers some insight 😉

        In other news, I’m feeling pretty stoked about this staff and how intact the team has remained! I am super eager to see how this season goes.

        I must say, something about how the last coach spoke never impressed me. Dorrell seems much better spoken.

        Go Buffs!

        1. Kettle 1 to start, maybe a couple. Ceasar, New York med rare covered in shrooms and sauce and a baked tater loaded, and a couple of silver oaks.

          Okay fine

          Buffs

          1. Silver Oak is overrated and way over priced, just like you. A lot of fluff and no substance

    2. It’s time for CU to seriously look at the Big 12 again. Like it or not the Pac 12 experiment has not worked. Let’s get back in the national conversation rather than hoping things are really going to change .
      It’s time to move before we’re left behind.

  22. Those who worry about Dorrell’s lack of head coaching experience should remember that Davo Swinney was receivers coach when he took lver at Clemson.

    1. Yup right yup.

      I am feeling good here. Course I always feel good this time of year cause last year has come and gone

      Sko Buffs

  23. Okay, I am feeling good about the future.
    Yup time to get back on board
    Midnight Mel is gone
    Dorrell is here.

    6 months till kick off

    Wonder what he will do for the spring game?

    Can’t wait

    Buffs

  24. Additional look and listen to Coach Rodrigue, evidently Coach Kap and goneTUcker brought his system (Link below)to CU last spring. If he adds solid OL fundamentals and execution, and a good helping of Gameday on the field pancakes along with Louisiana, Texas and Alabama recruiting into the mix all the better. I especially like the fact that he saw a problem and created a solution. I think I’m going to like this hire. http://therodblockingsystem.com/

    1. That’s good stuff. Dorrell seems to have gotten a teacher. Who may just have some contacts in the Alabama and other SEC turf high school recruiting ranks, too. Go get those 300 lb guys who run a 4.9 40, please.

      Go Buffs

  25. Rodrigue – I hope he is an under-the-radar surprise and look forward to more details about him (why HS ?) His profilelink indicates past success as O-line coach
    If he can recruit the Southeast that would be excellent as that is important, and one of the things I liked about tailTucker…there is tons of talent down there even after the big U’s get their guys, especially for the O/D-lines.

  26. Wait? An offensive line coach who has been coaching high school the last two years?

    Glass half empty.

    Wait, a dude coaching high school football in ALABAMA the last two years? I bet he has some recruiting relationships.

    Glass half full.

    Enjoy your cup.

    Either way, I call that an under the radar hire. But, could be brilliant.

    Go Buffs

    1. Eric, I can’t believe how you make these decisions without even knowing how these guys coach. “Under the Radar, Splash Hire.” The results by late Nov. will give us some idea how well these guys can coach. They do seem to have decent resumes. You know Brent Dilford is now coaching a High School in Tennessee and is also thought of as a very good QB guru. Wait for results. Where are the coaches that at least give you a little tingle up your leg. I’m not saying that these guys are just what was left as they all had jobs coaching kids to play football. There are reasons that they were where they were, now a great opportunity arises for them to be part of something that could be quite successful. But condemning then to as also rans makes no sense.

      1. Az, I didn’t condemn anyone. I pointed out two ends of the spectrum through which people can see Rodrigue. Personally, my view is the half full version. I am sure that is not everyone’s view though.

        And if our pals mike or dan had hired an assistant out of high school, our pal vk would have been screaming, is my guess. Which I find interesting.

        Go Buffs

        1. It appears the gardner had a slew of way below the radar guys………..based on performance and where they are now…………….He did.

          Buffs.

          Note: HWSRN is back at his peter level
          Note 2: The Gardner his on his trip to his real peter level
          Note 3: It’s your little gimpy attitude. Yup that’s it.
          Note 4: And your pals HWSN and the gardner are correct. Not ours.
          Note 5: And you throw that babble out there and don’t state what your position is. And az jumps ya and you bail.

          1. I’m shocked Its been 4 hours and earache still hasn’t tried to have the last word. I cant think of anyone who “screams” when a new coach is hired. It mostly starts after they have been hired and are failing….of course earache keeps talking them up (after he says its all jimmies and joes) even after they are fired

          2. What are you talking about, ep?

            I give credit where credit is due. Blame where blame is due.

            I approach every new hire with guarded optimism. And if it doesn’t work out? I prefer to focus on their positive impact rather than blame them for ruining everything.

            Too reasonable for you?

            Go Buffs

      1. I agree that is why I am viewing him in the glass half full category.

        And Karl seems to be true to his word. Hiring teachers.

        If you need a knee replaced, do you hire the athlete who has had four blown knees replaced or the surgeon who has repaired thousands?

        Go Buffs

  27. Sageesh,
    PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
    Daylight savings time this coming Sunday.

    Lose an hour.

    GOTTA LIKE THOSE TWO HIRES.

    NOW THE OLINE COACH PLEASE OH PLEASE HIM MAKE HIM THE VERY BEST OH PLEASE OH PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEE

    BUFFS

  28. I really like the DB and DL coach hires. It seems like they have had some real success in coaching the positions.

    1. Me too. I think the staff is coming along nicely. These two bring credibility with them. A lot of people have been bashing Dorrell. I think he is a good hire. Part of this feeling is supported by retaining key coaches and bringing new quality ones. Go Buffs!

  29. Very impressed with the KD hires. All in, let’s go to a bowl game!

    And you doubters, go root for some other team.

    I am a CU graduate and four of my family members also graduated from CU. My father’s side of the family moved to Denver in 1872.

    How many fans can say that?

  30. VBerkill, can you stop ripping on the gardner? He is gone and let’s move forward into the future.
    KD has a chance to be good and we should support him. Hiring Embree is the first step. Rome was not built in a day.
    Now I think you and your detractors need to engage in a free for all. No gloves, just fists instead of your online typing. I would pay to watch guys running their mouths incessantly.
    BTW, thanks to Stuart, the ultimate Buff fan!

    1. Steveeeee,

      Don’t know any Gardners but if I did, I would rip on em.

      Sko Buffs

      Note: Reminders of the past are important to not screw up the present.

  31. Mel Tucker had some solid advice. “Don’t hire your friends.” I hope this is not gonna turn out like the last time CU got the old band back together. TE position coach is as big a head scratcher as the HC was. Getting ready to pull the trigger on another year of season tickets and this is not what I wanted to hear.

    1. You would make a decision on supporting your team based on a TE’s coach? Sometimes another position coach takes on the TE’s position as well. I don’t have a problem with this hire. He has the core set up for this next year. After that we will see. Support your team.

  32. I was very happy to see Coach Dorrell keep Summers and Hagan and convince Chev that his future growth as a quality coach could continue with the a Flatirons Backdrop. (It seems rather evident that Chev already has a firm hand on the recruiting tiller.) But, I am even more excited about Dorrell’s retention of Michalowski and now hiring Taylor Embree as Tight Ends coach. I was able to catch 4 of the 49er’s games this year and we are going to love how they use TE’s. Yes, I know that Jon is the main TE and assistant head coach but, if you look at Taylor’s coaching bloodline (including his dad) we just added some real depth to our offensive room.

  33. Seemed like Brendan was a good addition. Oh well. That’ll happen.

    In other news how ‘bout Mel’s new dc?

    seems like an underwhelming resume, to me.

    Hoping Karl is doing better on his missing pieces.

    Go Buffs

  34. Thankfully Linda Shoemaker’s term is almost up. I appreciate her passion for education (as we are an institution of higher learning and regents have to address all aspects of the university). She either does not know or does not care how much the athletic department contributes to all the other areas of the school. I will be glad when her term is up so no one has to listen this airhead bimbo!

    1. From what I understand, Shoemaker’s protege is just as bad – if not worse.
      We may be dealing with anti-athletics regents for years to come. If they ever get a majority …

  35. Plati must be distracted or something. In his press release he stated that Darian lettered as a RB. Huh? He’s greatest QB and maybe player in CU history! C’mon Dave you’re better than that.

  36. I feel this continuity is very good with Summers D improving last year and retraining Chev and Hagan. This should be reassuring to players and the recently signed recruits. I would love it if the Buffs went bowling this year and prove all the naysayers wrong. Go Buffs!!!

  37. So the “experts” think a Bienemy who has never been a head coach, an alcoholic “Sarkisian” who they used to find passed out in his USC office, or some PAC 12 coordinator would be a better hire….yeah right🤬 Prove the wrong Karl!!

    1. There will definitely be a Ralphie VI this fall.
      Would be surprised if the new Ralphie was ready for the spring game – at least to run. She make a guest appearance and get in some photo ops, but there won’t be enough time to train her for a public run just yet.

  38. so far so good. The key ingredient remaining is that splash…er maybe….pancake O line hire. Still keeping my fingers crossed all the players are more pissed than despondent that big talkin Mel slipped out the back door.

    1. Money may need to be too big for this position to drag someone away from their current gig, but you are correct Sir! OL Coach is huge

  39. Summers. The defense did improve over the course of the year. And there were a ton of personnel issues. ( Gonna miss the dline and the lb/st coach???…maybe?) So credit for sure. Perhaps the discussion that Big Money Mel, quit being the D player caller is true?

    Interesting no quick announcement about “Double D?” Maybe not a given that they stay, at least in their current jobs. Darian used to be in an administrative role before he wasn’t .

    Another day in Buff land. Go Buffs. Up the Buffalo. Buffalo Up. 6 months until kick off. Goes fast.

    Sko Buffs.

    Note: Perhaps BMM did make a contribution to CU. Perhaps RG now understands that you can:
    “have your Assistant Coaches and your Analyststoo!”
    It’s a French saying.

    Note 2: According to the “ears” un-named sources have confided much stuff to him that he cannot disclose.

    Note 3: Recall he bragged about exchanging emails with the gardener so there is that.

    Note 4: Harmless

    Note 5: According to certain info from certain pay to view sources (24 hour rule) when it is all said and done Mighty Buff fans will be impressed and happy with how the final staff rolls out.

    1. Here’s what’s funny, VK. I rarely claim my opinions as facts around here. If ever. You? Not so much. So, when I say i have factual information that Sark got a contract? Do what you want with it. I don’t care. Nobody does. EB probably did too. But either way, it’s moot.

      Karl’s the guy now. He might end up being a sneaky great hire. He could also be a total bust. We’ll see. I definitely think he’s grown and better prepared than he was when he got the UCLA gig. No peter principle there, huh?

      But, that’s the thing about hiring. You were a big exec, right? You know. Hiring is never a sure thing. And, you don’t always get the people you want, sometimes you get the people you can get.

      So far, I’m happy w/ the guys he retained, and those he didn’t. Very interested to see who else he brings in. Also interested to see how many kids bail, etc. Or don’t. Either way, I’m on the Karl train.

      Ultimately, he’s the guy now, and I’ll keep supporting him and sending money with the same guarded optimism I would anyone.

      I do still wonder though, with up to $3.9mill/yr, top notch facilities, and support from the top of the institution, what else may have been holding some of the other alleged top candidates back? Was it just money? Greater opportunity/ies elsewhere? Could be. Could be more. I don’t really know.

      If Karl succeeds? It won’t matter. If he doesn’t? The AD’s dept may be in for a makeover in 3-ish years. I sure hope that’s not the case.

      Go Buffs.

      1. Earacheeeeee,

        I mean do you even read what you write? Seriously? A cub reporter:
        “with his anonymous sources that he can’t reveal”
        “intermingling opinion and fact”
        “running the speculative questions that are looking for a negative answer”
        “rewriting his article when exposed”
        “stating the obvious then dancing around issues”
        “generating strawmen as a side business”

        Anyway, yur probably a nice guy with good intentions and wannabe aspirations as banking “advertising mortgage rates on line” (I didn’t notice, do you have a brick and mortar office or just an online presence) probably hasn’t meet your expectations. Modern day loan shark…………. Seriously button up big boy.

        Sko Buffs.

        Note: Did i say I was a big time executive or did you assume again (easy fishing)??
        Note 2: You would be surprised!!!!!
        Note 3: Info is always available even if you were/are the custodian/janitor of the sports facilities. Wouldn’t you agree??

        1. How many words about me?

          Hilarious.

          4535 Missouri flat rd. Ste 2E Placerville ca 95667. But you already knew that.

          Come on by if you are ever in the area. I will buy you lunch or a Guinness. Actually solid ground is a great brewery right around the corner.

          Go Buffs

  40. Something else occurs to me, sitting here watching dumb tv refreqahing my fone for CU coaching updates. Someone in plati’s Office needs to stick around. Tad and Mel were both on the jim Rome show lately. Love him, hate him, or don’t know him, that is good pub for CU. Have wondered for years why no jungle karma.

    Go Buffs

  41. Sounds good to me, so far. I thought Tyson did a fine job and Michalowski as well. And I think he recruited well too, no?

    Very interested in seeing the staff take shape.

    Go Buffs

  42. Man I hope they keep Chev. Definitely god to hear that KD wants him to stay and is working on that. Anxiously waiting for staff updates…

  43. I am thrilled that Coach Chev is on board and that K.D. plans on keeping most of the coaches and personnel left over from the last regime. The players have to love that fact!!
    Can’t wait to see who our new OC, D-line and O-line coaches will be. Is Brian Cabral still in the building?

    Go Buffs!!!

  44. Great up date on Chiaverini, good to hear! Understand where he’s been, looking forward to him being a big part of this team for many year’s to come. 🙂

  45. Dorrell is a great pick, but I think Chev would have served us very well too. He has served CU very well andI hope he stays here.

    1. His time will come. Dorrell is cerebral and not exciting; the two will work it out and #CUlture will flourish. Flash doesn’t win, substance does. They will get there

      1. It could actually be like Kiffin and Sark. Kiffin’s a great offensive mind. Pretty introverted and pensive dude. Sark is also a very good offensive mind, but is all about flash (although he may have toned that down lately).

        We’ll see.

        Go Buffs

  46. Wow built a new home…………………..last year………………in boulder……….

    He has had the flatirons as his lead pic on his twitter page for a long time.

    Welcome home. Glad you came back. Interesting you were planning on it. Simply a great thing.

    Good luck and Go Buffs

  47. Just watched the press conference. I was very impressed. A couple of items he spoke about I really liked:
    1. He wants teachers for coaches. He wants his coaches to be adaptable to how they teach these kids based on who they are. I think this is huge. These guys want to learn, they want to do well, if you can teach them how to do it we will have a lot of success.
    2. He wants to develop a personal relationship with each athlete. I think this is huge. Some of the info from the internet on his struggles at UCLA was because he seemed distant and did not connect with the players. I think by forming a relationship with each of the kids individually it will help build the team, help them trust in him and help them through times when things go wrong.
    3. His demeanor. I really like how he carried himself. I thought he was really well spoken. I thought he communicated his ideas and thoughts well.
    4. This is his dream job. If he is successful we may have found the coach that will define our program for a very long time. This will help in recruiting as kids are not going to worry about him moving on from this program if we go 10-2.

    I am very curious on his staff. I wonder how many people on the current staff he keeps and who he recruits from the NFL and other colleges……

  48. As usual great job Stewart…BUT can’t get behind this “out of nowhere” hire. This was done on the cheap. I heard the same damn accolades’ from the same damn people when Embrey was hired…this is a disaster. Sorry so negative, but just telling it as I see it. GO BUFFS!!!

  49. Very pleased with the HC pick. Quality character coach and more importantly person. He knows the lay of the land here and I believe he wants to stay for the long haul. We don’t need another one and done coach. Most head coaches don’t find a ton of success the first time around and I would take his record as it is knowing he is here to stay. I believe he will be better this time around and am looking forward to this season. Go Buffs!

  50. The article is quoting him. Not exactly an unbiased take. 5 years ago he was hired at Vanderbilt as OC. Fired after one year. One of worst offenses in college football. Yes. Home run hire

    1. Yur point is?

      Buffs.

      Note: And of course you know why right? How many Qb’s? Nah you don’t know. Nega nancy no facts

  51. “Since 1989, Dorrell is the only coach to take UCLA to bowl games in five consecutive seasons.”

    Some times you don’t know what you have until you don’t, when CU goes to 5 consecutive bowl games, we need to remember this; during “the Pete Carroll dynasty at Southern California. During Dorrell’s five years at UCLA, USC went 57-6 with two national titles and four Rose Bowl appearances.”

    His recruiting classes, except one with only 11 players taken, were higher then MT’s highest in years class while competing against the same period. Yes, UCLA should have ranked classes just being in LA, but saying he can’t recruit today may be premature, let’s see how he does with the Buffs current players.

  52. Good find Stuart, this story highlights some of the things I was hoping for when I posted on his hiring, Dorrell was a young coach who accomplished more than he was being given credit for. Not that I’m claiming I knew any of this, I just felt there are more positives to his career since UCLA then the people that are being overly critical are seeing.

    One (idiot) poster is making negative statements regarding Dorrell’s hiring and saying he didn’t do anything at UCLA (Dorell’s first gig) & making it sound like UCLA didn’t any issues when Dorrell took over, guess that poster should read the above story, “was able to clean up UCLA after the embarrassing off-the-field scandals of the Bob Toledo era”.

    “Many of Dorrell’s former staff went on to bigger things. Embree, Tom Cable, Eric Bieniemy, Brian Schneider and Don Johnson all went on to coach in the NFL. Walker became the head coach at New Mexico State. Jay Norvell is the co-offensive coordinator at Oklahoma. It is an impressive coaching tree for a coach who lasted only five seasons in his job.”

    Between the above & his years in the NFL Dorrell should be able to assemble a good staff of assistants too.

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