Colorado is searching for its fifth head coach since joining the Pac-12 a decade ago and its seventh since the turn of the century.
Only this time, the Buffaloes have time.
By dismissing Karl Dorrell last week, the administration gained two months of preparation time. So long as a successor is in place by early December, the Buffaloes will have a chance to salvage a 2022-23 recruiting class that’s better than you might think given the on-field product.
In fact, we began our research into Colorado’s hiring process right there — with recruiting.
Absent a head coach who can maximize the talent pipeline, the Buffaloes will be right back in this position in three or four years, mired at the bottom of the standings, looking for a head coach and hoping to recapture the glory years.
CU is a tough job, one of the toughest in the Pac-12. A chief reason for that existence is the lack of in-state talent. Colorado not only compares poorly to California but also to Utah and Arizona.
But there are some blue-chip prospects in the Centennial State, and that’s where our eyes went first.
The Hotline examined 247Sports.com’s recruiting database to unearth every four- and five-star prospect from Colorado over the past decade. Their names mattered less than their positions.
We found 19, which isn’t many. Not many at all. But it’s not nothing. And of those 19, the most fruitful position, by far, was the offensive line: Six of the 19 blue chippers played up front.
That fits with the state’s reputation in the recruiting world as a home for size, not speed.
The findings guided our subsequent step: identifying names of potential candidates.
If the local talent leans big, perhaps the Buffaloes should consider hiring a coach with that background: Someone who was an offensive lineman, has coached and developed offensive linemen or, at the very least, favors a run-heavy scheme.
The list below, grouped into three categories, is more comprehensive — we selected coaches with backgrounds in other facets of the game.
But CU should consider reverse engineering its search strategy, first determining what style of play is most likely to succeed given the talent pipeline, then finding a coach who can maximize that pool of players.
Candidates we dismissed for various reasons but might reconsider later in the search: Utah State coach Blake Anderson, UNLV coach Marcus Arroyo, former CU player/Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Rice coach Mike Bloomgren, Air Force coach Troy Calhoun, Oregon offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham, former Texas coach Tom Herman, Oregon State offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren, BYU coach Kalani Sitake and Sacramento State coach Troy Taylor.
Here we go …
‘Reach’ candidates
Names the Buffaloes are unlikely to land, either because of the financial commitment required or their lack of interest.
Former Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst may have better offers than Colorado’s.
Former Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst: He’s not the dynamic personality or relentless recruiter the Buffaloes need, but his success in Madison (four 10-win seasons) cannot be ignored. And Chryst’s reputation as a playcaller and developer of linemen and tailbacks would work well. We are generally wary of recycled coaches, but it’s not like Chryst has been in the TV booth for years.
Ex-Carolina panthers coach Matt Rhule: A proven commodity at the college level, Rhule won at Temple and rebuilt Baylor after the sexual assault scandal. The Hotline would be stunned if he had serious interest — there are better jobs to be had, including Nebraska and Wisconsin — or if Colorado could meet his salary demand. But from the standpoint of due diligence, the call must be placed. There’s a one-percent chance, but he’s worth it.
Cal coach Justin Wilcox: Why would Wilcox leave for Boulder now when he could have pursued the vacancies in Seattle and Eugene last fall? Because every month he spends dealing with the UC bureaucracy and Berkeley politics is frustration on an exponential level compared to anywhere else. If CU were to place the call right after Cal denies admission to a four-star edge rusher because his second cousin tested positive for COVID-19 18 months ago, Wilcox just might listen.
Up-and-comers
Head coaches at the Group of Five-level or coordinators in the Power Five who could be desirable options come December.
San Jose State coach Brent Brennan: The Bay Area native and UCLA graduate rates an 11 when it comes to recruiting energy and community engagement, and his Spartans are on their way to a second Mountain West Conference division title in three years. In every regard except alma maters, Brennan is the anti-Dorrell.
Coastal Carolina coach Jamey Chadwell: One of the hottest coaches in the Group of Five is 28-3 since the start of the 2020 season. He has no experience coaching in the western half of the country and might have his pick of Power Five opportunities. In that regard, he’s both an up-and-comer and a reach candidate.
USC defensive coordinator Alex Grinch: If the Trojans keep winning and the defense isn’t a hindrance, Grinch will be the top coordinator candidate within the Pac-12. He spent a few years on the Wyoming staff, then ran Mike Leach’s defense in Pullman for three successful seasons before moving to Ohio State and Oklahoma. Put him on the short list.
Boulder ties
Former Colorado players or coaches who understand the challenges.
Indianapolis Colts tight ends coach Klayton Adams: Don’t let the title fool you: Adams is a lineman by trade, having played center at Boise State and coached the position at Colorado when the Buffaloes won the 2016 division title. He knows what works in Boulder, and the NFL experience would play well with recruits aiming to play on Sundays.
Baylor offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes: An offensive tackle at UTEP who coached the position at Arizona State, Auburn and LSU. He was BYU’s play-caller in 2020, when quarterback Zach Wilson had his breakout season. Grimes also served as Dan Hawkins’ run-game coordinator in Boulder for two years.
Colorado interim coach Mike Sanford: We don’t give Sanford much chance, primarily because the roster doesn’t support the amount of success required for him to get the permanent gig. But if the Buffs somehow become competent — admittedly, that’s a low bar — Sanford will warrant a hard look.
Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters: The 36-year-old former Colorado defensive back and onetime Arizona Wildcats assistant coach is currently having a stellar season with the Illini, who are 5-1 and own the No. 1 defense in the country (8.0 points allowed per game). Walters was a CU legacy — his father played for Buffs legend Bill McCartney — and earned a captaincy late in his playing career. He’s a no-brainer for the short list.
