Colorado University Athletics
Brooks: Pre-Spring Buffs Notebook
March 01, 2016 | Football, B.G. Brooks
SEFO UPDATE: Whenever he's asked from now until August about Sefo Liufau's status, coach Mike MacIntyre said the report will be the same: “He keeps progressing . . . we expect him to be able to go in August but we'll see how his foot is.”
That doesn't mean MacIntyre doesn't want to be asked about his three-year and incumbent starter, it's just that complete rehabilitation for Liufau's Lisfranc (mid-foot) injury is a time-consuming process.
MacIntyre said while progress is noticeable, Liufau told him recently, “My mind is willing to go but my foot is not always willing to go.”
Until mind/foot are on the same page, Liufau won't be ready, and MacIntyre said the determination of what Liufau is capable of doing will be made early in August camp.
ON OFFENSE FOR GOOD: Jaleel Awini's work with the QBs and WRs this spring signals a permanent move to offense, MacIntyre said. Awini, a 6-2, 200-pound senior, was in on 139 plays in nine games last fall on defense (21 tackles, 13 unassisted). His play on “D” was a pleasant surprise.
A transfer two years ago from Air Force, where he was quarterback, Awini played in one game last season on offense. He rushed four times for 20 yards but did not attempt a pass.
MacIntyre said Awini's athleticism and “big body” could boost the Buffs' offense next fall at either position. He's the type of offensive player, noted MacIntyre, who needs the ball in his hands.
HOPING FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL: MacIntyre did not hire a special teams coach to replace Toby Neinas, who left the CU staff and landed a job last month as Rutgers' director of player personnel.
Coaching the Buffs' special teams will be a “by-committee” endeavor. “We'll break up (responsibilities) among the staff,” MacIntyre said, explaining that kickoff coverage is basically a defensive segment of the game while kickoff returns is offensive.
So members of the defensive staff will spearhead KO coverage coaching and offensive staffers will take the lead on KOR responsibilities.
Who will further develop punters and placekickers and work with them on any possible mechanical issues? MacIntyre. Plus, he'll also have a to-be-named quality control person helping him.
HOLD THAT THOUGHT: The rage among coaches at some high-profile schools – Jim Harbaugh and Michigan come to mind – is taking your football team to a sun-drenched location for part of spring practice over spring break.
Ah, no thank you, said MacIntyre.
For starters, he emphatically said taking a team anywhere for lengthy spring break workouts would be cost prohibitive for CU, which spent a nice chunk of its $156 million-plus in facility enhancements on the IPF, adjacent strength-and-conditioning rooms and a soon-to-be-completed outdoor practice field flanking the state-of-the-art IPF.
Coaches/schools that make their spring practices “mobile” are angling for recruiting advantages as well as livening up spring drills for players. And MacIntyre said he has toyed with the idea of flying the Buffs to San Diego or Palm Springs for “a long weekend.”
But you probably can't count on that kind of junket for next spring – or maybe several to come.
PRACTICE PLANS: The first of CU's 15 spring practices will be held Wednesday, and as usual the Buffs will have morning practices. Their first spring scrimmage is scheduled for Wednesday, March 16, with spring break beginning March 21. Practice will resume on Monday, March 28, with the Spring Game set for Saturday, April 9.
The Buffs will work on their lower practice fields for most of the spring, going into the new IPF (indoor practice facility) when weather dictates. That facility opened on Feb. 1.
As he's done in the past, MacIntyre has saved the 15th practice for a “review/preview” session designed to launch his team into summer off-season work.
The spring schedule show two practices open to the public -- the morning session on Friday, March 11, and the spring game on Saturday, April 9.
NOTEWORTHY: The Buffs have added another junior college transfer – safety Kyle Trego of Diablo Valley (Calif.) College. He was first-team All-State and first-team All-Bay 6 Conference last season after recording 50 tackles (36 solo), four interceptions, three blocked kicks, two pass deflections, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. MacIntyre said the 6-0, 195-pounder will report in June and have four years to play three . . . . For the first time in his coaching career, MacIntyre last season used a 12-player “leadership council” to help direct the Buffs from within. He's considering doing it again for 2016 but isn't ready to commit to it yet . . . . Linebacker Addison Gillam (knee) is one of seven players who will miss spring drills due to injury. MacIntyre expects Gilliam to be ready to participate in August camp and hope he reports at 230 pounds . . . . Along with Gillam, end Derek McCartney will graduate in 31/2 years. Both are juniors-to-be and both should be two of the better players at their positions in the Pac-12 in 2016 . . . . A side note on McCartney: he's involved in a project that MacIntyre introduced to his San Jose State teams called “Be The Match.” Players can volunteer to have blood work done, with the results going into a national bank. If someone with the same blood marrow type contracts a life-threatening illness, the player is called to donate. McCartney, said MacIntyre, recently got the call; he will donate this week and miss two practices . . . . The Buffs will have co-offensive coordinators this fall, with former CU standout Darrin Chiaverini (first year on staff) and Brian Lindgren sharing that duty. On game day, MacIntyre said, Lindgren will call the plays – there will be no dual play-calling. Chiaverini will be on the field wearing a headset and signaling the plays in for the quarterback. MacIntyre said Chiaverini and Lindgren “have bonded well.” . . . . Offensive tackle Jeromy Irwin (knee) missed most of last fall and isn't ready yet to resume practice. He should be whole by August and MacIntyre said Irwin, now at 307 pounds, “looks awesome . . . like a pro tackle.” . . . . MacIntyre still expects defensive tackle Josh Tupou, who was dismissed from school before the 2015 season began, to be available this fall. Tupou is expected to return in May, according to MacIntyre . . . . The Buffs have nine spring walk-on candidates, six of them from in state.
Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU
