Channel 7 reported that current Colorado Buffs Coach, Mike MacIntyre, and the football program are set to part ways at the end of the season. However, an email from David Plati, Associate AD/SPORTS Information for CU, with an official comment from CU AD Rick George tells us, for now, the rumors are just that… “We do not comment on speculation or unsubstantiated rumors with anonymous sources,” Rick George said, “and let me just say I have made no decisions regarding the future of the football program. As I’ve stated in the past, we continually evaluate all aspects of all of our 17 intercollegiate sport programs.”
Ok, for now, no decision has been made but like I always say, if the answer isn’t “no, that’s not true,” then…well….you know.
After nearly six seasons, MacIntyre holds a 30-43 record and during that time, only one season worthy of a bowl game. But after starting 2018 with a 5-0 record, the Buffs have dropped 5 straight and need to win 1 out of their final 2 to secure a second bowl birth under MacIntyre. With a tough Utah team coming to Boulder and a much improved Cal team, becoming bowl eligible will be no easy task. Either way, CU appears to have seen enough. The swift fall from top 25 to the basement of the Pac 12 South could be the final nail in the coffin.
At the beginning of the football season, both NFL and NCAAF, we knew several coaches would be on the hot seat and it was likely one or two would be let go if they failed to deliver. MacIntyre looks to be the first to get the ax but who’s next? It’s interesting that CU’s the first program to have firing rumors swirl as they are the only college football team North of Denver still playing for something. CSU and Mike Bobo were officially eliminated from bowl contention for the first time in five years after losing to Nevada last Saturday Night and the UNC bears wrapped up a very disappointing 2-9 season with their loss to Montana State. As for the Broncos they are 3-6 with two games against the red hot Chargers and a game with Pittsburgh still to go. CU, depending on how Denver finishes, has had by far the best football season in 2018. Who’s name will be tossed around next? How about UNC’s Earnest Collins Jr.? After 8 seasons, Collins holds a 34-74 record with the Bears and only two seasons with winning records (6-5 in 2015 and 2016). Sure, the pressure in Greeley compared to Fort Collins, Boulder and of course, Denver, is not even close but it’s been nearly a decade of bad football and fans are beyond frustrated. It’s about more than football in the FCS, however. Grades, community and family are just as important as W’s at UNC. So, will that save Collins again? His players are typically great students and Collins himself is a wonderful man but at some point, I think it’s fair to ask; When is it about winning at the sport you get paid to coach?
Next up is Vance Joseph. A recent poll on thehullshow.com show’s an overwhelming % of Hulligans saying VJ needs to win 6 to 7 games to save his season. How likely is that? Believe it or not, I could see Denver finishing the season at 6-1, good for a 9-7 record and a 4 game win improvement. The second half of the schedule features the Chargers, Steelers, Bengals, 49ers, Browns, Raiders and the Chargers again. Could they beat LA? I think they have a shot at winning at least one of those and should take care of San Fran, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Oakland. Steelers will be tough but that game is at home. That all being said, they could very well lose 4 or 5 and limp into the off-season. It depends on whether or not this team still believes. We should know a lot about the second half Broncos based on how they come out of the bye. Either way, VJ has to show improvement and that improvement MUST be in the form of wins.
CSU’s Mike Bobo is safe as a very questionable buyout agreement protects him from being fired even at the end of the 2018 campaign. Colorado State COULD choose to fire him but they would have to pay him over $5 million NOT to coach. I don’t see it happening. Next year, even though the buyout will still be a factor, it is about $2.5 million less so if 2019 resembles anything like 2018, Bobo could be gone….buyout be damned.
So football season has been rough for sure. However, CU and the Broncos could still make something of their respective seasons but it all starts now. The Buffs have to win 1 out of 2 while Denver needs to improve on a 5 win year a season ago. Will we see some positives before the year is up? Based on what we’ve seen so far….I wouldn’t hold your breath.
