Cabral Tells Luncheon That Tucker's Discipline, Toughness Is Clearly Evident
July 11, 2019 | Football, Neill Woelk
COLORADO SPRINGS — It has been 61 years since Colorado, Colorado State and Air Force all played each other in football in the same season.
That round-robin drought comes to an end this year, as the Buffs will face CSU in their Aug. 30 season opener in Denver (8 p.m. kickoff), then host Air Force in an 11 a.m. game Sept. 14 in Boulder. AFA and the Rams will complete the round-robin Nov. 14 in Fort Collins.
Thursday, representatives from all three programs gathered in Colorado Springs for the Colorado Springs Sports Corp.'s annual college football kickoff luncheon. Longtime Buffs assistant Brian Cabral, who recently rejoined the CU staff in an advisory/counselor role, was joined by Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun and CSU defensive coordinator John Jancek, along with CSU-Pueblo defensive coordinator Donnell Leomiti (a former standout Buffs defensive back).
"What a deal — Air Force, Colorado State and CU getting to play at one time," Cabral said. "I do have to say that in 1974, the last time Air Force played Colorado, I just happened to be there. I was a freshman (at CU). I wanted to know what a cadet looks like — what I did find out is that you'd better bring your 'A' game."
Colorado and Colorado State have played regularly since they resumed their series in 1983 after a 25-year hiatus, and have met every year since 1995. Colorado has won four in a row against the Rams and five of the last six. The current series, however, will come to an end after next season's game in Fort Collins before resuming with a home-and-home set in 2023-24.
CU's meeting with the Falcons will be the first since 1974, with the Buffs making the trip to AFA in 2022.
"They're good," AFA's Calhoun said of the Buffs, who will be playing their first season under new head coach Mel Tucker. "They're so good. Just nine months ago they're 5-0 and ranked 18th in the country and darned near almost all those guys are back. … For us, what an opportunity to play against a top-notch program."
Each representative of the programs spoke to the luncheon audience. Cabral, who played at Colorado and then served as a full-time assistant for 23 years, made it clear he was happy to be back with the Black and Gold.
"I'm actually in the process of just getting to know our players," Cabral said. "I really can't tell you what positions they play et. I don't know them but I'm having a lot of fun getting to know them. … (And) This wouldn't be possible without Coach Tucker and Athletic Director Rick George. I'm excited."
But while Cabral may not yet be familiar with CU's personnel, he is rapidly becoming acquainted with the style and culture of Tucker and his staff.
"What I can tell you — what I do know is the discipline and the toughness that Coach Tucker brings — holy cow, it's fun to watch," Cabral said. "I'm a former linebackers coach. I'm all about toughness, I'm all about discipline. But it's fun to watch. To see him demand that, to see those kids want that — they want the discipline, they want the toughness. Is it easy? No, it is not easy. But for me, it's fun to watch how Coach Tucker and his staff are starting to build this thing."
Cabral is no stranger to coaching transitions. He began his coaching career working under Bill McCartney at Colorado, then worked for Rick Neuheisel, Gary Barnett, Dan Hawkins and Jon Embree in Boulder.
"I do know the transition from a head coach to another head coach — that's the hardest thing any athlete can face in their career," Cabral said. "I can say that kids are responding. The players are responding to the demands — and it's demanding. It's fun to watch and I'm a fan of Coach Tucker. I did not know Coach Tucker, but I saw something in him that has resonated with me. That's discipline, that's toughness."
The Buffs are coming off a 5-7 season that saw them drop their last seven after a red-hot start. The Rams will be trying to rebound from a 3-9 campaign in 2018, a season complicated by head coach Mike Bobo's health issues.
Jancek, in his second year as CSU's D-coordinator, said Bobo's goal is to run out with his team at the season opener in Denver. The Rams made speed a recruiting priority, and Jancek said the CSU staff addressed that need with a class that includes a pair of graduate transfers (including Jalen Bates, a regular on Arizona State's defensive line last year) as well as several junior college players Jancek said should be ready to contribute immediately.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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