Woelk: Foundation In Place For Next Coach To Take Buffs To Next Level

BOULDER — Every coach's first priority, no matter the sport or level of play, is a simple one: leave the program in better shape than when you arrived.

Mike MacIntyre attained that goal at Colorado.

In six years in Boulder, MacIntyre won a division title, reached a bowl game, made the Buffs competitive again in the Pac-12 and steadily improved the talent level. In his last three years as Colorado's head coach, the Buffs were 20-17 with 12 conference wins, including two wins over ranked opponents in 2016. The 20 wins were the most in any three-year span since Gary Barnett's team won 20 from 2003-05 and the two wins over ranked teams were the most in a single season since 2003.

But — and there is almost always a "but" in the lifespan of every high-level coach — it also became evident to Colorado officials this year that the Buffs had reached a plateau. After a 5-0 start that landed Colorado in the nation's top 20, CU hit a six-game slide, with one chance left to become bowl eligible.

Sunday, Colorado officials reached the decision to make a change with the goal of finding someone who can take the Buffaloes to the next level. The foundation MacIntyre leaves puts Colorado in excellent position to find that coach.

What will quickly become quite clear to every candidate for the job is that Colorado football is not a program in need of rebuilding. It is a program poised to take the next step, a program that is no doubt attractive to any coach ready to hit the ground running and begin winning immediately.

Start with the talent level. Next year's Colorado team will have Pac-12 level players on both sides of the ball, and whoever steps into the job as CU's next head coach will by no means find the cupboard bare.

On offense, it means a wide receiver who was an early season Heisman Trophy candidate before an injury derailed his season, Laviska Shenault Jr., along with a host of other proven wideouts. It includes a seasoned, veteran quarterback in Steven Montez, a young offensive line budding with potential, and a range of experience and young talent at running back.

It is, simply, an offense poised to become a Pac-12 force next season.

On defense, it is much the same story. CU's defensive line returns a solid corps of young talent: Mustafa Johnson, Israel Antwine and Terrance Lang. It includes an outstanding group of proven linebackers — among them Nate Landman, Carson Wells and Jacob Callier — as well as some young, promising talent. The secondary also has some solid returnees, including promising cornerback Chris Miller, as well as a healthy list of other players who received their baptism under fire this year and should take the next step in 2019.

That alone is enough to make the CU job attractive to any coach with an eye on winning immediately.

But it is more than just the players in the locker room that makes the job appealing — it is also the locker room itself, along with the rest of the Champions Center. In a day and age when facilities are a main selling point to recruits and staff, CU has to take a backseat to no one in that department.

That is a credit to CU Athletic Director Rick George, who made improving Colorado's facilities a priority since the day he arrived in 2013. George spearheaded the building and completion of the Champions Center, a world-class facility that provides athletic and academic support geared toward enhancing the chance of success for every CU student-athlete.

Guaranteed, CU's next head coach — whoever he may be — will not find Colorado's facilities lacking in any area. Unlike any national CU coaching search in the last 50 years, outstanding facilities will no longer be a blueprint and a promise.

They are a reality.

There are, of course, other reasons the job will attract top-tier candidates.

George has earned a reputation as one of the nation's leading-edge athletic directors, and his intimate knowledge of the obstacles particular to Colorado will be a huge help to the next coach. George knows the CU landscape as well as anyone, has been part of a winning era at Colorado (he helped Bill McCartney build his powerhouse teams) and is respected by CU's administration and faculty — a huge plus for any incoming head coach.

And, Colorado fans have proven they will support a winner. It was just two years ago that CU finished the season with back-to-back games against Washington State and Utah in front of packed houses at Folsom Field. Even this year, the Buffs played in front of a full Folsom against Arizona State.

No doubt, there are issues specific to Colorado — just as there are such issues at every other program in the nation.

But the bottom line is that Colorado football is not in rebuilding mode. The foundation for success is in place.

In today's world of college athletics, that's a nice place to be.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu