Buffs Bits: AD George Addresses Mac, Illinois

BOULDER — It's that time of the year, when college football coaching jobs around the nation are opening up.

Colorado won't be one of them. I ran into Colorado athletic director Rick George on Wednesday, and here's what George had to say about Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre:

“I've said it publicly several times: Mike MacIntyre is going to be our coach next year,” George said. “There's really nothing to discuss. I've said it several times, and nothing has changed. People have asked and I've said the same thing: Mike's going to be our coach. Let's move on to the next topic.”

MacIntyre's Buffs are 4-6 this year, already double the number of wins from a year ago. They also defeated in-state rival Colorado State and ended a 14-game Pac-12 losing streak and a 13-game conference road losing streak with a win at Oregon State. The Buffs have been competitive in nearly every Pac-12 contest. They held leads against UCLA and Arizona in the fourth quarter; were within a touchdown of Oregon in the fourth quarter; and their overall talent level has continued to improve under MacIntyre's direction.

George's statement should end any speculation that MacIntyre may be on the proverbial “hot seat.”

More importantly, it will end the possibility of other coaches using it as a wedge in recruiting battles.

Speaking of George, it should be no surprise that his name immediately popped to the surface with the announcement Monday that Illinois had fired athletic director Mike Thomas.

George is an Illinois grad. He played football for the Illini, then worked for the football program as the recruiting coordinator before making the move to Colorado. He has strong ties to the school and state, and his performance at CU makes him a very appealing prospect.

But, George told me, nobody from Illinois has contacted him.

“Nobody has called me and I haven't talked to anyone,” George said. “I'd be lying if I didn't say at one point in my life being AD at Illinois wasn't my dream job. But I love it here at Colorado and I'm excited about what we've accomplished since I've been here as well as what the immediate future holds. But I just think it's way too early to be talking about anything right now in that regard.”

Senior night one to remember? Friday night's game against USC (7 p.m., ESPN2) will be the final home game for 14 CU seniors, including standout receiver Nelson Spruce.

Spruce is the all-time CU and Pac-12 leader in receptions (272), CU's all-time leader in yards (3,022), and with 21 touchdown receptions, needs just one more to tie Scotty McKnight for the school record in that department.

But for all of Spruce's accomplishments, he can't name a particularly memorable moment at Folsom.

“Not one that sticks out,” Spruce said earlier this week. “That's why I'm trying to make this one special. One big win, especially in my last home game, would be awesome.”

Spruce is one of just five seniors expected to be in the starting lineup Friday night, joining left tackle Stephane Nembot, cornerback Ken Crawley, nose tackle Justin Solis and free safety Jered Bell.

Other Buffs making their last appearance in Folsom will be offensive linemen Vincent Arvia and Ed Caldwell; fullbacks Jordan Murphy and John Finch; wide receiver Colin Johnson; defensive back Marques Mosley; running back Christian Powell; linebacker Hunter Shaw; and long snapper Wyatt Tucker Smith.