Woelk: Co-coordinators Becoming The Norm, Not The Exception

BOULDER — Some random thoughts on Colorado athletics as the Buffs prepare to wrap up the fall semester …

On co-coordinators. As soon as news broke that Brian Lindgren was headed to Oregon State and Klayton Adams had been promoted to co-offensive coordinator at Colorado, a handful of fans began to voice their displeasure at the Buffs maintaining a co-coordinator system.

Hate to tell you folks, but that's what more and more programs are doing these days. Other programs that have co-offensive and/or co-defensive coordinators? How about Alabama, Oklahoma, Clemson, Ohio State, Washington and Oregon — just to name a few.

To me, it only makes sense. Two coordinators not only means different viewpoints, it also means more input in terms of figuring out what is working (and what isn't), as well as much better information when it comes to who is practicing well (and who isn't).

Meanwhile, I like the combination of Darrin Chiaverini and Adams.

Chiaverini, a former wide receiver who still hasn't met a down and distance that can't be resolved by a pass play, has brought an up-tempo attitude to CU's offense. He has a gunslinger's mentality, an always-attack mode that fits the Buffs' talent pool. The process of Chiaverini calling plays from the booth will be fun to watch evolve.

Adams, meanwhile, is an offensive lineman by trade who still believes third-and-1 requires the ability to line up and take that yard by force. A coach who has been on other programs' radar for the last couple of years (including head coaching opportunities), Adams knows there are situations when you have to exert your will, a philosophy that still belongs in the game.

In effect, Mike MacIntyre now has a pass game coordinator and a run game coordinator who will work together every week to formulate a game plan. To me, it's a perfect blend that makes perfect sense.

On recruiting. My take here has always been to leave it up to the experts, the folks who make a living analyzing recruiting. It is more art than science, but the people who are involved know their stuff.

What will be interesting to watch this year is how the early signing date (Dec. 20-22) plays out. There are already some unintended consequences popping up — most notably the acceleration of the coaching merry-go-round — as well as some players gambling by waiting to see what offers might come their way between now and February.

Over the years, I've seen "great" classes at Colorado fizzle out and "mediocre" classes develop into bonanzas. It's why, when people ask about CU's current prospects, I have the same answer I've always had. I'll wait until they show up on campus — and have had a year or two to develop — before passing judgment.

Some position speculation. When CU senior running back Phillip Lindsay shifted his game into high gear this year, it became clear the Buffs were going to ride the hot hand to the end.

Lindsay delivered, to the tune of 1,474 yards and 14 touchdowns.

If there was a downside, it was that other CU backs received just a handful of carries. Buffs quarterback Steven Montez was CU's second-leading rusher, finishing with 338 yards on 132 carries (a number skewed by sacks). After that, Beau Bisharat was next, with just 21 carries for 61 yards.

Those are numbers that have folks worried about next year — but those worries might be a little premature.

It will be interesting to see how Bisharat fits into the attack next year. He showed some flashes when he had a few carries in the same game this year, while also showing some power in the middle, and it's hard to think he won't be a bigger piece of the puzzle in 2018. Meanwhile, freshman Alex Fontenot was impressive throughout the fall and will likely be a major factor.

The wild card here? How about a guy that has 422 career yards rushing (including a long of 59) as well as 47 receptions. That would be senior Donovan Lee, who will return to the lineup next fall after redshirting this season. Lee will be an intriguing piece of the puzzle when the offense goes to work in the spring.

Defensively, one of the more interesting developments ahead will be to see what CU coaches do with ultra-talented Evan Worthington, who played safety, nickel and Buff back this year.

With Afolabi Laguda and Ryan Moeller graduating, one logical move would be to have Worthington settle in at safety on a full-time basis alongside Nick Fisher. Also in the mix at safety could be Kevin George, a JC transfer who redshirted this season.

As for Buff back — if it's not Worthington — there are other possibilities for a position created to combine the skills of a defensive back and linebacker. While this is pure speculation, one possible move could be shifting inside linebacker Drew Lewis into the spot and taking advantage of his speed and pass rush ability. The development of CU's young inside 'backers has given the Buffs some options there, and it will be worth watching to see if defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot tweaks the scheme to get as many playmakers on the field as possible.

As for other programs …

CU volleyball is on its way up in a hurry. Five of CU's seven starters from this year's Sweet 16 will return next year, including four of the five Buffs who earned All-Pac-12 honors of some kind.

In just his second year on campus, Jesse Mahoney has brought an outstanding level of stability to the program. His calm, even-handed approach has had a significant influence on the overall program attitude, and it is reflected in the Buffs' play. There is no panic, no anxiety.

No doubt, Friday's 3-0 Sweet 16 loss to Nebraska isn't how the Buffs envisioned their season ending. But they will learn from it, grow from it — and be even better next fall.

Women's basketball. CU coach JR Payne has quietly accelerated the development of CU's program.

With a solid backcourt returning, beginning with Kennedy Leonard and Alexis Robinson, Payne and her staff made some key improvements up front in recruiting, most notably freshman forward Annika Jank (averaging 13.4 points and 8.1 rebounds) and JC transfer Janea Bunn (7.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg). It has given the Buffs a true inside presence, which means even more room for the Buffs' talented backcourt to operate.

The Buffs are ahead of schedule, and this is a team that will cause Pac-12 foes some consternation before the season is over.

Men's basketball. From the very beginning, head coach Tad Boyle has talked about how this year's freshman class has been a "breath of fresh air" for the program.

It's something CU fans should enjoy watching develop this year. Led by the mature-beyond-his-years McKinley Wright IV, the Buffs are growing up on a daily basis. Meanwhile, there's just enough of an upperclassman influence from the likes of George King, Dominique Collier and Namon Wright to keep the roller-coaster from being too severe.

Yes, there will be some bumps in the road. But when this bunch hits Pac-12 play, they will cause some folks some problems — and there is no doubt the future looks very, very bright.

And finally … if you didn't see the story about three CU football players who finished their careers this fall while also obtaining their master's degrees, take a moment and check it out.

It's a reminder that student-athletes are students; that the No. 1 reason for attending any college or university is to get an education and prepare for the next chapter in life.

These are three young men who took full advantage of that opportunity — and they are just the latest examples of why Colorado fans can be proud of CU's student-athletes.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu