Photo by: CUBuffs.com
Tributes To Bill McCartney
January 11, 2025 | Football, General, Alumni C Club
Four Dozen With CU Connections Share Their Thoughts About Coach Mac
BOULDER — Tributes were pouring in for Bill McCartney, who passed away Friday evening (January 10) at the age of 84. The following include comments from former players, coaches, staff, alumni and media who spent numerous years with him. Presented in alphabetical order:
Bobby Anderson (CU Football Alum '69; CU Football Network Sideline Reporter, 1982-2006)
"The first time I met Bill McCartney was when Eddie Crowder invited Joe Romig and me to meet Bill when he came to Boulder for his interview. He impressed us with a purposeful and intentional level of commitment and intensity. He immediately demonstrated a command presence that you knew would motivate people.
"Having been involved with the Colorado Football Network Radio Broadcasts during his coaching years at CU, I was blessed to watch the CU football program improve and reach the national championship. The Buffs struggled in Mac's early years -- he always expressed disbelief in losing a game when he expected his team to play better and win. From his experience with the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry he established and called out Nebraska to be the annual rivalry at a time when the Buffs were out-manned and over-powered.
"Mac had a powerful ability to motivate and move people. When he spoke, he had a volume, intensity, inflection, and vibration to his voice that was inspiring. It was like he had a "bite" to his words that would emphasize his intensions. I always looked forward to his weekly Buff Club luncheons when he spoke and gave the CU boosters and businessmen the insights of the upcoming game. People left those luncheons all pumped up and motivated for the week. We'll remember Mac's piercing eyes as he moved on the sideline observing the game and coaching his players.
"We appreciate Mac's commitment to Jesus and his Christian Faith and his influence on the lives of many. Bill McCartney has been a special person and will be remembered forever as a leader of men, an influential Evangelist, and one of the greatest coaches for the Colorado Buffaloes."
Mark Baker (CU student assistant SID, 1985-88; KCNC-TV Sports Producer 1987-95)
"R.I.P. to one of the most impactful personal influences of my life. Many know of him as the Hall of Fame football coach and greatest in Colorado history. Others will remember him for his impact as Founder of The Promise Keepers. For me, he was so much more! Having lost my father when I was 12, Coach Mac is one of a handful of men who took an interest in me and I credit for having a life-long influence on the man I am today. Having the honor to work with him as a college student and beyond, I can truly say I would not be where I am without his mentorship and friendship. With Mac, it wasn't always about football – he would come in early before we taped his TV show and we would sit and chat about anything and everything, praying together on many occasions. Coach Mac's impact on so many young men will last for generations and I'm honored he took the time to include me. It forever changed my life."
Gary Barnett (CU Assistant Coach, 1984-91; Head Coach 1999-2005)
"I remember early on – we would be in the College Inn on Saturday mornings or wherever we were, and Mac would meet with the offense and would ask random questions about situations that might occur in the game that day – off the wall questions, like 'What is our play on 3rd-and-5 on the right hash mark going into wind on the opponents 45-yard line?' It was 30-45 minutes of questions that we had never considered. We called it '20 Questions!'
"I will never forget sitting in his living room with parakeets flying around as we all interviewed with Mac about going with him to SMU. There was angst, anxiety, and then that evening, he turned it down;
"I remember Eddie Crowder convincing Mac to get off the headset during the game. He had a tendency to drive the assistants crazy at times;
"I remember when he brought a hypnotist in to talk to our staff and him wanting to have the hypnotist work with our team. Fortunately, we talked him out of it;
"When we were on the road with Mac as assistants, he would always pay for our evening meals so we could keep the "per diem" money;
"Every player and coach will always remember his Thursday after practice speeches: epic, jaw-dropping, intense, so motivating – everyone would race into the team room so as to not miss a word;
"I will personally always remember the confidence he showed in me by making me the offensive coordinator for the ('90) national championship game and then staying out of my way, letting me call almost the entire game without interfering;
"Mac insisted I take the Northwestern head coaching position, even though my instincts and confidence did not think it was the best thing for me;
"Mac could almost fire you one day, and the next day be standing next to you at the urinal asking you about your family (true story);
"Mac was always very careful about who he let talk to our team, a lesson that I had to learn the hard way at Northwestern.
I will always remember the day he came to watch out team at Northwestern practice. It was like the Godfather attending. Vandy (Ron Vanderlinden), Wristo (John Wristen) and I wanted to impress him with the fact that our team practiced physical and fast like our Colorado teams;
"Mac elevated his game as a head coach. Once his grandson was born, in my opinion, he stepped everything up to a "superstar coach" level;
"My last game with Mac was the Iowa State blizzard in Ames, there were maybe 1,800 in the stands. The ISU coach wanted to have a running clock, it was 8 degrees, snow blowing sideways. We could hardly get the bus to the game. Mac says in his tough no nonsense way, 'What do you mean, a running clock, this is for the Big Eight Championship, no way are we having a running clock. We ain't doing that!;
"And I will always remember that we would often say, 'Every player deserves a coach who believes in him.'"
Eric Bieniemy (Running Back, 1987-90)
"Coach Mac provided many young men the opportunity to share his vision, which extended far beyond the playing fields. When I look back, Coach Mac brought us together and helped us as young men to define our purpose in life by gaining a complete understanding of commitment, accountability and resilience. Coach Mac's lessons have stuck with me and have helped guide me through this journey we call life. As you would summon the sun every day in training camp, "Come on out big fella,' I am wishing you a peaceful rest, Big Fella."
B.G. Brooks (Rocky Mountain News CU Beat Writer, 1987-2009)
"I started covering CU football and Mac in 1987, for the now defunct Rocky Mountain News and had no idea of what I was walking into or who that guy was, or what he was all about. It proved to be a ride like no other I'd taken in sports journalism, and not long after he walked away in 1994 I began thinking it was a trip that CU football might never repeat. I still believe that.
"Bill McCartney was as complex but as straightforward as any man I'd ever met. His faith was deep, genuine, controversial for some, and ultimately led him out of coaching. And he rarely looked back. Mac motivated as well or better than anyone who ever blew a whistle, and his players responded to him. He loved them unconditionally -- only slightly less than he loved God and his family -- and that love was reciprocal, which was instrumental in the restoration of Buffs football. His legacy will be measured as much by his work after football as his coaching record or championships.
"CU won't see another like him, but if it does I'm betting Mac won't mind."
Chad Brown (Linebacker, 1989-92)
"Coach Mac created a vision for my life. He told me becoming a Colorado Buffalo was going to become the springboard for the rest of my life. He told me on the football field we would win the Big Eight, and then we would win a national championship. I would become All-Big Eight then I will become an All-American and then play in the NFL.
"All came true.
"He also told me I was gonna fall in love with the state of Colorado. I'm 54 years old and I still live here. He told me I was going to meet a girl on campus and marry her, that's exactly what happened. He told me my kids would become Colorado Buffaloes as well. Both my daughter and son are University of Colorado graduates.
"I'm sure coaches say all kind of things during the recruiting process, but I don't think any coach has ever given a vision that lined up as exactly as Coach Mac's vision for me and my future.
"Coach Mac talked about two things frequently, being united as a team and believing. He managed to unite football players from all around the country, from very different places and very different backgrounds into a brotherhood that still lives on today. He also talked about belief, his personal spiritual beliefs but also his belief in each and every one on those teams.
"He was an amazing football coach, but somehow an even more amazing man and human being. Without the vision that Coach Mac had for me, the belief that he had in me, I doubt any of those things above happen. I will forever be grateful for all that Coach Mac taught me and showed me. I love you Coach."
Greg Brown (CU Assistant Coach, 1991-93)
"This great man had more influence on me than anyone outside my parents. The thousands of players and coaches he touched will always feel his impact. Rest in peace, my friend."
Brian Cabral (CU Assistant Coach, 1990-2012)
"I wouldn't be the man or coach that I am today if it wasn't for Coach Bill McCartney. He saw something in me that I didn't see in myself. He gave me my first time full-time coaching position. The best motivating coach I have ever been with. He didn't just motivate the players and bring out the best in each of them, but he also motivated coaches to get the best out of them. He was definitely a leader of men for their best.
"Not only a great motivator but also a great teacher. As a football coach, he was one the best 'X's and O's' coach schematically. He had an intuition that was usually right. I loved the night before the game when he would tell the team how we were going to beat the other team! It was different every week and we were on the edge of our seats to hear what he was going to say. He was passionate, and you never wanted to step in his way but he was always very compassionate and he was the first person you wanted to go to if you needed help.
"He knew how to speak into men! To speak into the heart of a man! He was the example of what faith is to me."
Jeff Campbell (Wide Receiver/Kick Returner, 1986-89)
"There are no words to express how thankful I am to coach Bill McCartney. Without him, I would not be where I am in my life today. He was the only coach that gave me an opportunity to play college football at the division one level. He invested in me, he pushed me, he made uncomfortable, comfortable and got every ounce of talent out of me that he could. I love that man for all he did for me, from offering me a scholarship in the first week of camp to pushing me to be the best I could for my teammates – and play at a level bigger than I ever thought I could get to. I came to the University of Colorado as an individual and I left there as part of a family that I will forever be thankful for. Coach Mac, you have made my life incredible and showed me not only how to be a great football player but a great man. I will always have you in my heart."
Lance Carl (Wide Receiver, 1983-87)
"Thank you for coaching, leading and mentoring. Thank you for loving, disciplining and guiding. Thank you for believing in me and my teammates, driving us to be better men through your words and most importantly, your actions. Thank you for keeping your promise to my mother as you stood in our dining room. Thank you for sharing your love for Jesus Christ and for being a devout follower of his word. Thank you for being a shining light in my life. Love you, Coach Mac."
John Clagett (CU Sports Information Director, 1981-84)
"I will never forget the day that Eddie Crowder brought Bill McCartney to Boulder for what seemed to be a long-shot interview. All signs were indicating that Chuck Shelton was soon to be named as coach. But on that day, Bill McCartney went from dark horse to front runner, and so too did the fortunes of the Colorado Buffaloes. Coach Mac was a great mentor and perhaps the most honorable individual I have met in my 40-plus years in sports administration. As his sports information director in his first two seasons, I had the great fortune to accompany him to his Coach Mac show at KWGN (Channel 2) during the football season. It was those trips to Denver and then back to Boulder where I had the opportunity to get to know him well, and to appreciate his kindness and to understand that his commitment to church and faith was truly what made him special. In my book, he his Buff #1."
Don DeLuzio (Linebacker, 1985-88)
"The greatest football coach in CU history! He was my coach, my mentor and my friend. He had a much greater impact on my life after I was done playing than while I was playing. He truly cared about his players and their lives. As a coach, he was the consummate motivator and recruiter. He would always say you have to win off the field before you can win on the field. He knew how important recruiting was to building a championship program. And like any great leader, he was a visionary -- willing to do things that had never been done before. He would always ask, "Who are you? Where are you going? And how will you get there?" For the Buffs, he could answer all three.
"But what I will cherish most about Mac is his unwavering faith. He loved the Lord Jesus more than anything. When he recruited me, he made sure to tell my mom that winning football games was not the most important thing in his life. His relationship with Jesus Christ was number one, his wife and family were number two, and winning football games was number three. He certainly wasn't perfect but did his best keeping those priorities intact. One of his favorite Bible passages was James 4:8, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
"Even today, whether I am faced with making a decision about business or about family, I often ask myself how would Coach handle this or what would he say in this situation. That's the kind of lifelong impact he has had on my life."
Gerry DiNardo (CU Assistant Coach, 1982-90)
"Coach Mac was someone you always wanted to be with. Regardless of what role we were in at the moment – mentor, boss or friend. I loved him for all the roles that our relationship included. Whenever I think of him, I either smile or laugh."
Karl Dorrell (CU Assistant Coach, 1992-93, 1995-98; Head Coach 2020-22)
"Coach McCartney was one of the most influential coaches in my life. He was tough, demanding, loving, honest and fair. He was a master of preparation, and that was the standard for both players and coaches alike. The scouting reports he shared with the team were always factual, insightful, and more importantly, motivating. I would be on the edge of my seat listening to him share the scouting report with the team, and what it would take to win the game. Mac was one of the best motivators in football.
"I loved Mac and the man he was because he loved us first. It was a love like a father would have for his own children. There are many coaches and former players that would say that was the case. I will miss you Mac. The Lord has his coach with him now."
Jon Embree (Tight End, 1983-86; CU Assistant Coach/Tight Ends 1993-94; Head Coach 2011-12)
"I feel very blessed to have been in Coach Mac's first recruiting class. Mac did something very unusual when he had all the in-state players visit on the last recruiting weekend of the year. He had eleven of us in all – Ed Reinhardt, Barry Helton, David Tate, Sam Smith, Eric McCarty, Curt Koch, Rick Wheeler, Troy Wolf, Dave DeLine, Jeff Glenn and myself. I actually took the trip so I wouldn't be bothered by other coaches recruiting me – I was deciding between Ohio State and UCLA. On Sunday morning, the last day of the trip, we were all hanging out and talking, and as a group, we all decided to go to CU. That class was responsible for beating 'Lil' Red' for the first time in 19 years and going to back-to-back bowl games. Then three years after we left CU, we were playing for the national championship and in four years we won it. Coach helped us grow from boys to young men. He made sure we all graduated.
"Then after I was finished playing professionally, he made me a volunteer coach, and after just one year, he had the faith in me to make me the full-time tight ends coach. And I've been coaching ever since. One thing I'll remember most about Mac was his persuasiveness – the man convinced a whole state to not wear red. The impact he's had on my life and those of my teammates is immeasurable. He will be sorely missed, but in classic Mac fashion, he fought all the way to the end."
Christian Fauria (Tight End, 1991-94)
"Along with my mother and father, Coach Bill McCartney had the biggest impact on my life and who I am today. His passion for football was only overshadowed by his faith in God and his love for his family. He could inspire and convince anyone that they could accomplish things usually unattainable for ordinary men. His Thursday night speeches were legendary. No one left that room uninspired or lacking pride that we were the Buffs. Mac was able to tap into something deeper, something that could elevate us beyond our own perceived limits. Coach Mac understood the true power of inspiration. He bonded my teammates and I as brothers, he created a sense of achievement and self-worth that resonates to this day.
"More importantly and more valuable than any trophy or individual achievement, he helped me be a better father, husband and son. I am truly indebted to coach Mac and proud to call myself one of his former Buff players.
I will miss him dearly."
J.J. Flannigan (Running Back, 1986-89)
"I had to wait overnight to gather my thoughts before I could write something about my former coach Bill McCartney. Like any father-son relationship, we had our moments. Being highly recruited out of Southern California and not being able to play my freshman year, this man encouraged me to be better every day. But I still had growing to do. After being arrested for racial situations twice in my junior year I just about gave up on Colorado and his football team. But this man challenged me again after my junior year. I came back stronger, faster, and better mentally to play this game. When Eric Bieniemy broke his leg in the 4th game of the '89 season, everything came to reality … I WAS READY!!! NEARLY 1,300 YARDS AND 18 TOUCHDOWNS TO HELP MY TEAM go 11-0 and win the Big 8. Through the ups and downs and through the good and bad, I want to say thank you and truly rest in power Coach Mac!! We'll see you on the other side of the mountain!
Chris Fowler (CU student assistant SID, 1982-85; ESPN Game Day/reporter/announcer 1987-present)
"Above all, Bill McCartney was a true believer. His conviction and authenticity created belief in others, when no evidence of what he preached was possible. Colorado football is a history of peaks and (deep) valleys. When I arrived as a student assistant in the athletic department in the early '80s, the Buffs were rock bottom. All great achievements begin with belief. Coach Mac, who had never been in charge of a football program, convinced assistant coaches, recruits, and fans to share in his beautiful, improbable vision. Then, followed the hard job of teaching players how to win.
"Five years after I left CU, I was covering the Orange Bowl National Championship game for ESPN. The final seconds ticked off, I took my first deep breaths in hours and tried to keep my emotions in check. Here came Coach Mac in my direction, in a swarm of delirious celebration around him. My old-fashioned microphone was connected to the TV camera with a cable, which had gotten tangled around my ankles. As he was hustled over to me, wearing that infectious grin he had, I spun around twice and held out the microphone, and tried to stay collected for a postgame interview that remains one of my warmest professional memories. I will never forget the grin on his face. The Buffs had made the summit, from those first baby steps of belief.
"That night is Miami encapsulated what Mac had created, a football program that embodied brotherhood, courage, grit, and resilience in the face of heartbreak. The victories, conference championships, and Heisman Trophy that followed under Bill McCartney's leadership forever reshaped Colorado's place on the college football landscape. He remains the most important figure in the modern history of CU football. Like most fellow Buffs, I will always remember Mac with deep gratitude and affection. Every Buff fan will remember fondly what Mac did for CU.
"His final years have been so challenging and often heart wrenching for those who care about him. I wish him an eternity of peace."
Dr. Gordon Gee (University of Colorado President, 1985-90)
"I have so many fond memories of Coach Mac, I really loved him. He was quite a character, and I always appreciated the fact that he was a very charismatic man and a very charismatic religious person. As an example of that, SMU decided that they were going to try and get Bill as its coach after the NCAA penalties. I called Bill and asked him what the heck he was doing, and he said he was going to take the SMU job. I said, 'Remember coach, I saved you from oblivion when you were here when you were not doing very well.' He came to my office with Bill Marolt and I asked Mac why he was taking the job, and he told me that God told him to. So I pulled out my Bible out my left drawer and he and I went at it for 45 minutes, volleying scripture and verses at each other – Marolt sat there watching us like it was a tennis match. Finally, he got so mad, he slammed his hand on the table and said he was going to talk to his preacher. He came back later and told me that his preacher said you're right!
"Bill was a man of passion, he built Colorado football into a national brand, and without a doubt, he brought a sense of purpose to our entire athletic program. He set the tone for Colorado football for all these many years."
Rick George (CU Recruiting Coordinator, 1987-91; Athletic Director, 2013-present)
"I am very saddened at the passing of Coach Mac. I was fortunate to be able to say goodbye to Coach in person last week. Coach Mac was an incredible man who taught me about the importance of faith, family and being a good husband, father and grandfather. He instilled discipline and accountability to all of us who worked and played under his leadership. The mark that he left on CU football and our athletic department will be hard to replicate. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mike, Tom, Kristy, Marc and their families. I have many fond memories of Coach Mac and will hold those close to my heart. God bless Coach Mac."
Theo Gregory (CU Academic Coordinator, 1986-93)
"A sad time for me. Bill was one the best coaches and human beings I have every worked with -- the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all-time). His integrity, the appreciation he had for the student-athlete, and his loyalty to his faith and family. People talk about a "cradle of coaches," it's astonishing how many of his assistants went on to lead other programs. And what he did for black coaches was incredible, and Rick George has continued Mac's legacy of giving opportunities to not only black coaches, but administrators. He was always so good to me. A truly good human being."
Darian Hagan (Quarterback, 1988-91)
"You will always be my favorite person! I want to thank you for your love, trust, kindness and guidance. You taught us so many lessons about love and one of my favorite lessons is agape love. I am grateful that you saw something special in all of US and got US all to trust one another and play for each other, because no one was bigger than THE TEAM. When you recruited me from South Central L.A., I knew that my life would be better because you were one of a kind! You saved my life and I'm a better man because of you. I am saddened that you are no longer with US, but God and Lyndi needed you more. Love you forever Coach!!
He also recorded a video that was played for Coach Mac in the recent days. Here's what he addressed directly to him:
"I just wanted to you know that I love you and appreciate you. You've done a lot for so many people – you saved my life and so many others. So I wanted you to hear my voice, I wanted you to know that no matter what, I love you and we all turned out well because of you. Thank you, appreciate you, and I'll love you forever. Hags."
Mike Hankwitz (CU Assistant Coach, 1985-94)
"I felt honored to have worked for Mac because he stood for all the right things in coaching, and the way he dealt with his players. He was a fierce competitor and he wanted to win every game, but he wanted to do to everything by the rules. He didn't want to skirt any of them or do anything remotely illegal. He truly wanted every player to become the best player they could be, but also to become great men, fathers and successful in their future endeavors. The bottom line was that he cared about everyone, and everybody who played or worked for him ws better for it. I know that I was. Before I was hired, I had never really met him, even though we were both at Michigan at different times, so I was surprised when he called and offered me a position job. Some of other assistants said that the program was ready to pop, and things sure did turn out right."
Steve Hatchell (President/CEO NFF-College Football Hall of Fame/Former Orange Bowl Executive Director)
"I had so many great personal moments with Bill McCartney. When I was with the Orange Bowl, it was hard to hide the thrill of hosting my alma mater, and it was all because Mac had CU reaching new heights. They had captured the nation's attention and to this day those were two of the highest-rated Orange bowls in history. And what a privilege it was to induct him into the College Football Hall of Fame, he was very humble about it and credited everyone around him. It was always a first-class experience whenever we dealt with him, some truly great moments."
Dan Hawkins (CU Head Coach, 2006-10)
"The world, college football, and Buff nation lost a great man and influencer in Bill McCartney. It was a sad day to hear the news of his passing. Coach was a great mentor of mine during my time at Colorado. From the very first day of my arrival, he openly shared his time, knowledge, wisdom, and love with me whenever and wherever.
"Our first meeting he wanted to meet at a coffee shop at 6:30 in the morning. I arrived early at 6:15. Coach was, of course, already seated and waiting. When I walked up to him, his first words were, "You are late"! It was my first experience with the intentionality and intensity with which he pursued all of life. I treasured every interaction with Mac. A notebook was always in hand because the wisdom was flowing richly from his heart, mind, and lips. The sessions were always about his love of God, family, and the Buffs. Coach always viewed Boulder as "magical."
"Being able to learn from former Coach Eddie Crowder and Bill McCartney was a direct portal to the knowledge of college football icons Oklahoma football coach, Bud Wilkinson and Michigan football coach, Bo Schembechler. Life changing to say the least. The head coach parking spot was always left open for the true leader, Coach Mac. He was always a regular in our suite for home games. My wife knew he wanted to be left alone and watch the game interrupted.
"Coach, thank you for your life's work bringing people to God, for your love and advancement of people, and to your endless dedication and devotion to Buff nation. God Bless you and your family. You are extremely respected and loved. We are grateful for your life well lived."
Chris Hudson (Cornerback/Safety, 1991-94)
"Coach Mac was one of the pillars in my life, he taught me a lot about life. He is what a man calls, 'A Man's Man.' He helped me to channel my beliefs and goals and to never compromise myself in anything I believe in. I think about Coach every week, if not every day, because something comes up in my life always relates to something that I learned from him, either through him speaking to us as a team, or something said to me specifically. I love Coach -- and I'm so glad he proved to be the man he told me he was when during recruiting, he sat on my couch in my house with my mother and I. Thank God and I am blessed that he is a part of me."
Charles Johnson (Quarterback, 1987-90; Orange Bowl MVP)
"Coach Mac: Thank you for believing in me! You took a chance on an undersized Black Quarterback from Detroit. You promised me that I would have the opportunity to play the game and the position I grew to love so much! While all others doubted my ability to perform at this level, you believed in me. In fact, I will never forget sitting in your office as an 18-year old freshman who had never traveled west of Chicago, unsure about the decision to attend the University of Colorado. After about 20 minutes of listening to your message, you looked directly into my eyes and told me, 'I believe in you!' It was exactly what I needed to hear. Your unapologetic message of fairness for all regardless of race or class further instilled the confidence in me that I belonged. While we went on to accomplish amazing things on the field, the lessons learned from our time together transcended our football success. Over the years, I've come to appreciate that your belief in me wasn't limited to my ability to perform on the field. You believed that I could grow to be a positive contributor to my community. You believed that I could lead my children to realize their own dreams; you believed that I would leave the spaces I occupied in a better place. I owe so much Coach Mac; I love you with all my heart – Thank you for believing in me!
"P.S. I sure wish we had one more down together!"
Terry Kahl (CU golf alum/1981 Big 8 Champion; Former head professional at Boulder Country Club)
"I feel extremely blessed and honored to have had the opportunity to meet and know him. He rarely came out to BCC and used his complimentary membership since he didn't want to have something his assistants didn't. There was one rare occasion he came out to play with some friends and then hosted them in the Men's Grill post-round. He was the only one left and I was walking through to check on things and he asked if he could buy me a beer and tell me the behind-the-scenes story of the "Fifth Down" game at Missouri. It was amazing!
"I loved going to those Friday football luncheons when he was coaching and taking my dad. He was so motivational and inspiring, by the time the lunch was over, my dad and I were ready to put on the pads and the chin straps and follow Ralphie out on the field! Coach Mac was a great human being, I think of him often and will surely miss him."
Dave Logan (CU alum, KCNC-TV broadcaster, 1986-94)
"My first real introduction to Mac was in 1983 when he reached out and asked me if I would write a letter to Eric McCarty, who was a senior at Boulder High School. He thought I would be someone who could talk about the University of Colorado and the benefits that a kid from Colorado could enjoy by staying home and going to CU. And I did it. From my time covering the Buffs, calling his games and hosting his TV show on Channel 4, I just found him to be genuine, authentic and someone who could inspire others just with his incredible ability to communicate."
Mike MacIntyre (CU Head Coach, 2013-18)
"Bill McCartney was a visionary and forerunner for men of every generation. His passion was unmatched and his message was foundational. He inspired men to dream big and follow hard after Jesus and His ways. He went first by living a life of integrity and dedicated his life to raising up generations who would become promise keepers. The fruitfulness of his life will continue to grow through the impact that he made on each life that he encountered. I am one of those lives and am so thankful to have known him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends who will miss this spectacular man each day. May we all find peace and comfort in the Presence of the One who made all the difference in Bill's life!"
Bill Marolt (CU Athletic Director, 1984-96)
"Coach Mac was the amazing coach and leader. He took us to a place in college football that no one who has been involved with CU Football thought possible or even dreamed of as a matter of fact. Through the years that we worked together, there was always a message that he would deliver to his staff, his team, or to others that he met along his journey. Two of my favorites are:
"If you set a goal and you are really committed to accomplishing the goal, you must be willing to write it down and put it on the wall for everyone to see!"
And the other is:
"If you are going to lead you have to know what your non-negotiables!"
Eric McCarty (Fullback/Linebacker, 1983-87)
"Coach Mac was more than a football coach; he was a transformative figure whose influence reached far beyond the field. From the very first time I met him in June 1982, his piercing eyes and voice of conviction stirred my soul. His unwavering passion and faith left an indelible mark on my life. His influence extended far beyond the football field shaping me into the man I am today. He inspired me as an ordinary young man to do extraordinary things, to be a man of integrity, faith, and purpose. He did that not only for me, but for all of my teammates and all those young men that played football for him at CU.
"Coach Mac's words and particularly his pregame speeches were riveting, captivating us with every word. His passion was contagious, instilling belief in our hearts and driving us to greatness. And he didn't just prepare us for games; he prepared us for life—teaching us how to be honest, ethical, forthright and hardworking. He shaped us into men, fathers, husbands and leaders in our professions and communities. He cared for each of us deeply, praying for us, for our families, and even for our futures.
"I'll never forget how intertwined our families became after Coach Mac and his family settled in Boulder in 1982. My brother Conrad and I played football with his sons Mike and Tom, and later, Marc played alongside Chance. His wife Lyndi was so dear to us all. When we had death or tragedy in our family, the McCartneys were always there for us and with us. Mike, Tom, Kristy, Marc, and their families, our hearts and prayers are with you. Your family will always hold a special place in the hearts of the McCartys and the University of Colorado community.
"Coach Mac's impact on my life extended long after my playing days. He read scripture at my wedding in a small town in Alabama, prayed over my marriage to Miriam, and personally celebrated milestones like my medical school graduation. He was there for me at every pivotal moment, grounding each with his faith and wisdom. His faithfulness in prayer was remarkable. He showed in his prayer book where he prayed for Miriam and I and then our kids as each one was born. He would get up early in the morning and pray for hundreds upon hundreds of people.
"His prayer and sharing of faith was critical for me when I was a freshman. My knee was blown out and I required knee surgery and thus sitting out that year. It was devastating. And as I lay in the hospital bed after surgery, Coach Mac prayed with me and reminded me to trust in God for direction in the path ahead and he shared a verse; Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. That verse has never left me and has been shared by me countless number of times with athletes that have been hurt.
"Coach Mac's vision was unparalleled. He had a unique ability to touch us individually while uniting us as a team. His recruiting efforts at the University of Colorado were legendary -- he recruited me and many others in his first recruiting class. The allure of schools like USC, Stanford and Michigan were compelling for me and I thought I was ready to leave Boulder. However, Mac had other ideas for me and more than a dozen other Colorado kids who were looking elsewhere. He asked all of the in-state recruits not to commit anywhere else until we visited CU. He had all of us come in on the same weekend and what was so unique, it was the weekend before national signing day in February. This is something you could never do now with all of the early commits that go on. What happened as the top Colorado recruits came together, is that we forged a bond and he inspired us to make a pact to bring CU football back to prominence. In the end, although we all looked elsewhere, we ended up coming to CU and we are so thankful to Mac for that opportunity. That decision changed our lives forever, and we owe it all to him.
"Coach Mac's legacy is not just in the games won but in the lives he transformed. He was a great man of faith who spoke the truth, inspired greatness, and cared deeply for everyone he encountered. We are forever grateful for his influence, and we will carry his lessons with us always and these lessons will carry on into our children and our grandchildren and for generations to come. Mac, thank you for the life you lived, teaching us to believe, to lead, and to live with faith and purpose."
Mark McIntosh (KCNC-TV's CU beat reporter, 1988-2006)
"I have plenty of memories when it comes to CU football. But later in life,as I went through the trials and tribulations with health, marriage issues or career shifts, nobody was a better mentor to me than Coach Mac. He coached me and others until his final days. I will miss him greatly."
Scott McMichael (CU Senior Director of Development/Interim Alumni C Club Director, 2007-22)
"During my time with CU Athletics, I had the pleasure of attending several CU events both official and unofficial with Coach Mac. I was always amazed at how cordial and approachable he was with our fans and supporters. Not only was Mac a legendary coach, but he was also a great ambassador for the University. Some of my fondest memories were taking him to CU football and basketball practices. He really enjoyed interacting with our coaches and student-athletes (once a coach, always a coach). Coach Mac touched so many lives in a positive way and will truly be missed."
Rick Neuheisel (CU Assistant Coach 1994; Head Coach 1995-98)
"I only got to spend one year with Mac, but it was good for a lifetime of lessons. I carried those pieces of wisdom with me throughout my coaching career, and have always cherished the time I got to spend with him. I have so many memories from that one season, from the 'Miracle in Michigan' to Rashaan Salaam's electrifying run to go over 2,000 yards. We were a national championship caliber team, but just weren't able to get it done that one Saturday in Lincoln. But it was a lesson in 'Coaching 101' that served me well from those days on. No one was more committed to the profession of coaching and also the commitment to kids as Mac was in terms that he was raising good people as well."
Kimbirly Orr (Executive Director, Alumni C Club)
"Hearts are breaking across the country as news of Coach Mac's passing travels. My first job within CU Athletics was working for Coach McCartney as a recruiting assistant. Little did I know that my student-worker hourly job would lead me to a life-long love for Coach Mac and the McCartney family. My condolences are with Coach's children and grandchildren, and his former players who grieve this immense loss."
Tom Petersen (CU Assistant SID, 1987-92)
"I was a 25-year-old kid who had just started working in the CU sports information department when Coach Mac called me to his office. As I walked over to the stadium from the field house annex, I thought I was in trouble for something I had done with the media earlier that day after morning practice. Instead, Coach Mac personally welcomed me to the CU family and wanted me to know that if I needed anything, not only for my job, but anything at all, I should just ask. He wanted me to know that everyone was important, no matter what their role. I thought about what he said that day in his office a lot during my years in Boulder. And, although short, I am grateful for my time at CU. When I think of those who were influential in my life, I have to include Coach Mac. I have tried to take Coach's words to heart throughout my career, always striving to make those I worked with feel as wanted and respected as he made me feel. Coach Mac was truly the ultimate coach and teacher."
David Plati (CU Sports Information Director, 1984-2022)
"One of the first things that come to mind when I think of Coach Mac was the week leading up to the Iowa State game in 1994, which turned out to be his last –though nobody knew it at the time. Rashaan Salaam had rushed for 1,796 yards, and with 2,000 within reach, he called me into his office and wanted full-fan involvement. We printed up something like 20,000 goldenrod-colored placards with "2,000" on them for the fans. Then the day before the game, he had another idea – to update Rashaan's yardage after every carry on the scoreboard. It seemed so un-Mac like, but the anticipation in the stadium grew and grew until he made the 67-yard TD run to go over 2,000. Folsom Field exploded in pure joy – Mac had nailed it.
"After I was named the S.I.D. in 1984, in our first conversation, he gave the best piece of advice that I followed my entire career: "If you have to lie, don't."
Mickey Pruitt (Safety, 1984-87)
"Coach Mac: A man who gave a city kid from Chicago an opportunity to help build a program back from the depths, and the chance to pursue dreams in both football and education at CU. He led young adults to become men. He challenged us and believed in our potential to be successful. My prayers to Mike, Tom, Kristy and Marc and forever loved."
Joe Romig (CU Football Alum '61/College Football Hall of Fame)
"I have great memories of Bill. Our friendship began one fall afternoon in 1960 when the Colorado Buffaloes went to Columbia to face the #1 team in the nation, the Missouri Tigers. Bill was the center for the Tigers and I was the middle-linebacker for the Buffaloes. We got to know one another very well that afternoon. In later years, Bill claimed I broke his nose whereas I claimed his nose broke my thumb.
"I remember the delight that Bobby Anderson and I had when we learned that our friend, Eddie Crowder, had hired Bill as our next coach. Memories from 1960 came back, and I knew we had a winner. Bill Marolt and Gordon Gee knew that as well. In a few years, when Colorado took the field, other teams feared them.
"Bill was a great coach. In addition, he lived his philosophy both on and off the field. I will miss him greatly."
Matt Russell (Linebacker, 1992-96)
"In the course of your life, most people aren't fortunate enough to cross paths with a person like Coach Mac. For us, he was a role model, coach, and a father away from home who cared deeply about every player. When I look back on coming to CU, it was as a privilege. A privilege to be there for the Thursday night team meetings, to have 9-on-7 drills with Mac right in the middle of them, to be a part of a culture of winning and winning for each other. Coach Mac scoured the country for the top talent and brought us all to Boulder to create life-long special memories. And I will always consider Coach Mac one of the most influential, positive and unifying people I've ever had in my life. He has been impactful in my journey and I'll miss Coach Mac dearly."
Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders (CU Head Coach, 2023-present)
"Coach Mac was an absolute legend on and off the field. He took CU to the top of college football and he is fully ingrained in every fiber of the history of this program. I first knew of his impact becoming close with several former Buffs throughout my NFL career. He produced great football players but better men. I was honored to have the opportunity to meet Coach Mac after I became the head coach and his passion for CU was evident. The thing I admired most about Coach Mac is that he was unapologetically himself. Many of the characteristics he valued are what we are using to get this program back to the level he attained."
Ron Scott (CU Football Alum '67; Director of Development, 1982-91)
"Coach Mac impacted so many, in so many ways. When he arrived and circled Nebraska, I knew things were going be different for CU. He then promoted Promise Keepers to a point where a million men showed up on the Mall in Washington, D.C. He was truly a one-of-a-kind, special man."
Matt Sebree (Placekicker, 1994)
"I knew I had no shot of playing my freshman year, yet every Saturday I ran out behind Ralphie ready to run through a wall for the man. He did something for me I'll never forget. A friend of mine had cancer for a third time and was in his last days. He was a diehard Buffs fan. I called Bill and said is there anything you can do for him? He picked up the phone and had an hour-long conversation with him. The next day his brother called me and told me he had passed away and said he was ready to meet his maker after getting off the phone with coach. Who does that? What a great coach and better man. He will be missed."
Hank Siegel (KMGH-TV Channel 7 Sports Producer, 1989-96)
"It was a highlight of my career to have participated in the media covering those teams and so fortunate to have had the opportunity to interact with Coach Mac. He was a man to be admired, living a righteous life with humility. We could use more men like him. My best recollection is one time coming up to CU following the championship season when I ran into him, congratulating him on the win and he responded, 'Thanks, it was a great day.' I replied, 'Yes, but I had a better one.' Somewhat puzzled, he asked me, 'How's that?' 'Well, my first daughter was born just hours before the game.' He agreed, saying, 'Yes, you did!' Mac had always said family came before football."
Bob Simmons (CU Assistant Coach, 1988-94)
"Knowing Coach Mac was a fundamental change to my life as a person. He helped develop me with high moral values in my Christian walk. Coach Mac also championed and was instrumental in the promotion of minority coaches and players. My family and I will forever be thankful and grateful for our relationship with Coach Mac."
Kordell Stewart (Quarterback, 1991-94)
"Coach Mac was a great man of men. He was a man who knew how to get a group of men from all backgrounds together to accomplish a common goal. That was to WIN. We looked the same on the field, which helped us understand there was no one player greater than the TEAM. Through that, we learned how to be there for each other. And to this day because of that common goal of winning and respecting each other, we still stay in touch in that fashion. Coach Mac was a man of GOD who instilled his coaching principles along those lines. It was appreciated and NEVER forgotten. And so everyone knows that the Colorado Buffaloes were not entrusted to a man that was timid nor weak in Bill McCartney."
Herchell Troutman (Running Back, 1994-97)
"R.I.P., Coach Mac. I would have run through a wall for this man, not enough words to describe the value of this man. Blessed to have had you as coach and a mentor. I will never forget you coming to my grandma's house sharing biblical verses, and she said to me this is where you need to be. So I chose Colorado over Miami. Coach Mac was a true leader of men."
Ron Vanderlinden (CU Assistant Coach, 1983-91)
"Coach Bill McCartney has had a tremendous positive impact on my life. Coach Mac was my high school football coach at Dearborn Divine Child and led our team to three Catholic League championships, and my senior year, to the state title.
"Coach Mac was also responsible for my being hired on Bo Schembechler's staff as a graduate assistant at the University of Michigan when he was defensive coordinator. The opportunity to grow and learn as a coach at Michigan would lead to my later being hired on Coach Mac's Colorado staff in 1983.
"Having played for Coach McCartney in high school, and working under him at Michigan for two seasons, I had witnessed his tremendous football intellect. Just one example would be in 1980, as Michigan's defensive coordinator, his game plan and his defenders' execution, shutout Purdue, 26-0, and its unanimous All-American and future NFL quarterback Mark Herrmann. After the victory, Coach McCartney was named the defensive player of the week in the Big Ten, which was unprecedented for a coach to be recognized in this way.
"In 1982, Bill McCartney was hired to rebuild the Colorado Buffalo football program that had only won a total of seven games the previous three seasons. I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to join his CU staff. Alongside the strong group of coaches he assembled, it was Coach McCartney's outstanding abilities as a football tactician, his strong and unwavering leadership, motivation, and his ability as a recruiter (while always staying within the rules, and the intent of the rules) that led to elevating the Colorado program to the top of college football. Coach McCartney's Hall of Fame career includes a 93-55-5 record at CU, winning three Big 8 Championships and the 1990 National Championship.
"Most importantly, Bill McCartney was a loving father and husband, and a strong man of God. I will always appreciate his continued spiritual guidance and encouragement throughout my life."
Michael Westbrook (Wide Receiver, 1991-94)
"I was thinking about the man and the coach, and the difference between the two. It's such a fascinating journey because of the complexity of our relationship. He plucked me out of high school like somebody plucking a fruit from a tree, but without knowing if it was edible or not. He had never seen me play football, he saw me in the gym playing a pick-up basketball game at my high school—he was there recruiting another guy. He literally called me over and offered me a full scholarship on the spot, and he had never met before. I can still hear him say, 'Do you want to play football at the University of Colorado.' That was it. Period. No looking at film or talking to a coach. That's what my story is so insane, but I didn't know any different. That was the genius football coach that we were dealing with. It was the beginning for a three-time All-American and the fourth pick in the NFL Draft. So he made a decision to give a kid a scholarship from watching me dunk a basketball a few times. That was one of the small aspects—I'm using me as an example because that was my relationship with him.
"But the man in him took that same kid and kicked him off the team because he was messing up in class. I couldn't be reinstated until I did right in my school work. But that was the best thing for me – it taught me a lesson. I didn't want to lose football, so I became competitive in the classroom. And not until I passed all the tests that I was supposed to pass that he let me back on the team. I was having a rough time, but I got eligible for the '91 season, had a great freshman campaign and everything was fine from then on.
"The man part of Coach Mac took that boy and became a father figure to him, one who desperately needed a father figure. He was not only that, but he was that to hundreds of boys that he helped turn into men, perhaps even at the expense of maybe even his personal life, he helped young boys become men. To sum Bill McCartney, he was a father to most of us."
Alfred Williams (Linebacker, 1987-90)
"The life of Bill McCartney will be remembered is one that was full of faith. It was apparent of my time with him and my time watching him grow into a fantastic leader, his impact with religion and the people and families he could affect. He was a brilliant coach but was a better man. I have so many funny stories with Coach Mac, my favorite is after we played in the first national championship game, Coach Mac started hearing rumors that I was going to declare myself for the NFL Draft. Not sure where those started, but they were never true. What was true is that when we had our end of the year meeting, I told him that I wanted to redshirt before my senior year. He leaned forward in his chair, looked at me with this surprising look on his face and said, 'You want to redshirt?' He then explained why I shouldn't redshirt my senior year. It was the funniest conversation – he went from thinking I wanted to leave to wanting to stay around another two years.
"It (CU) was the most perfect environment I had ever seen in football, including all my years in the NFL. The greatest collection of coaches and players that I've ever been around. Those teams – '89 and '90 – I consider those some of the greatest teams that ever existed because I know how they were built. To go from my freshman year when we were 7-4 and declined going to a bowl game to playing for the national championship back to back.
"Playing for Mac, I could still see him walking around the field with a ruler in hand. He coached the punt team and took a lot of pride in it. That was the one area he kept for himself. He wanted to make sure it was always great – we had All-Americans on that team Barry Helton, Keith English, Tom Rouen – the one time it didn't work out was against the Rocket.
"It was fantastic knowing in his heart how he truly felt about people. It was a pleasure to know him, not just as a coach, but to know him as a man."
Neill Woelk (Longtime Boulder Camera Sportswriter/Columnist)
"From a journalist's perspective, you always knew Mac was going to give you a fair shake. He took the time to learn the names of the reporters who covered the team on a regular basis, he provided thoughtful answers and he treated every member of the media with respect. He could be tough if he didn't like what you had written the previous week, but he didn't hold grudges. Mac knew the media had a job to do and if you treated him fairly with your reporting and opinion, he offered the same in return."
John Wristen (CU Graduate Assistant Coach, 1990-91; Assistant Coach 1999-2005)
"Coach Mac had a vision. He used the "red letter for Nebraska to get a whole state behind him. He was a very intense, no-nonsense leader who influenced my career. He set the standard for everything he touched. A competitive, tough leader of men. Thanks, Coach Mac, for helping me grow. Thanks for making me better. Rest in Peace, Coach Mac."
Bobby Anderson (CU Football Alum '69; CU Football Network Sideline Reporter, 1982-2006)
"The first time I met Bill McCartney was when Eddie Crowder invited Joe Romig and me to meet Bill when he came to Boulder for his interview. He impressed us with a purposeful and intentional level of commitment and intensity. He immediately demonstrated a command presence that you knew would motivate people.
"Having been involved with the Colorado Football Network Radio Broadcasts during his coaching years at CU, I was blessed to watch the CU football program improve and reach the national championship. The Buffs struggled in Mac's early years -- he always expressed disbelief in losing a game when he expected his team to play better and win. From his experience with the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry he established and called out Nebraska to be the annual rivalry at a time when the Buffs were out-manned and over-powered.
"Mac had a powerful ability to motivate and move people. When he spoke, he had a volume, intensity, inflection, and vibration to his voice that was inspiring. It was like he had a "bite" to his words that would emphasize his intensions. I always looked forward to his weekly Buff Club luncheons when he spoke and gave the CU boosters and businessmen the insights of the upcoming game. People left those luncheons all pumped up and motivated for the week. We'll remember Mac's piercing eyes as he moved on the sideline observing the game and coaching his players.
"We appreciate Mac's commitment to Jesus and his Christian Faith and his influence on the lives of many. Bill McCartney has been a special person and will be remembered forever as a leader of men, an influential Evangelist, and one of the greatest coaches for the Colorado Buffaloes."
Mark Baker (CU student assistant SID, 1985-88; KCNC-TV Sports Producer 1987-95)
"R.I.P. to one of the most impactful personal influences of my life. Many know of him as the Hall of Fame football coach and greatest in Colorado history. Others will remember him for his impact as Founder of The Promise Keepers. For me, he was so much more! Having lost my father when I was 12, Coach Mac is one of a handful of men who took an interest in me and I credit for having a life-long influence on the man I am today. Having the honor to work with him as a college student and beyond, I can truly say I would not be where I am without his mentorship and friendship. With Mac, it wasn't always about football – he would come in early before we taped his TV show and we would sit and chat about anything and everything, praying together on many occasions. Coach Mac's impact on so many young men will last for generations and I'm honored he took the time to include me. It forever changed my life."
Gary Barnett (CU Assistant Coach, 1984-91; Head Coach 1999-2005)
"I remember early on – we would be in the College Inn on Saturday mornings or wherever we were, and Mac would meet with the offense and would ask random questions about situations that might occur in the game that day – off the wall questions, like 'What is our play on 3rd-and-5 on the right hash mark going into wind on the opponents 45-yard line?' It was 30-45 minutes of questions that we had never considered. We called it '20 Questions!'
"I will never forget sitting in his living room with parakeets flying around as we all interviewed with Mac about going with him to SMU. There was angst, anxiety, and then that evening, he turned it down;
"I remember Eddie Crowder convincing Mac to get off the headset during the game. He had a tendency to drive the assistants crazy at times;
"I remember when he brought a hypnotist in to talk to our staff and him wanting to have the hypnotist work with our team. Fortunately, we talked him out of it;
"When we were on the road with Mac as assistants, he would always pay for our evening meals so we could keep the "per diem" money;
"Every player and coach will always remember his Thursday after practice speeches: epic, jaw-dropping, intense, so motivating – everyone would race into the team room so as to not miss a word;
"I will personally always remember the confidence he showed in me by making me the offensive coordinator for the ('90) national championship game and then staying out of my way, letting me call almost the entire game without interfering;
"Mac insisted I take the Northwestern head coaching position, even though my instincts and confidence did not think it was the best thing for me;
"Mac could almost fire you one day, and the next day be standing next to you at the urinal asking you about your family (true story);
"Mac was always very careful about who he let talk to our team, a lesson that I had to learn the hard way at Northwestern.
I will always remember the day he came to watch out team at Northwestern practice. It was like the Godfather attending. Vandy (Ron Vanderlinden), Wristo (John Wristen) and I wanted to impress him with the fact that our team practiced physical and fast like our Colorado teams;
"Mac elevated his game as a head coach. Once his grandson was born, in my opinion, he stepped everything up to a "superstar coach" level;
"My last game with Mac was the Iowa State blizzard in Ames, there were maybe 1,800 in the stands. The ISU coach wanted to have a running clock, it was 8 degrees, snow blowing sideways. We could hardly get the bus to the game. Mac says in his tough no nonsense way, 'What do you mean, a running clock, this is for the Big Eight Championship, no way are we having a running clock. We ain't doing that!;
"And I will always remember that we would often say, 'Every player deserves a coach who believes in him.'"
Eric Bieniemy (Running Back, 1987-90)
"Coach Mac provided many young men the opportunity to share his vision, which extended far beyond the playing fields. When I look back, Coach Mac brought us together and helped us as young men to define our purpose in life by gaining a complete understanding of commitment, accountability and resilience. Coach Mac's lessons have stuck with me and have helped guide me through this journey we call life. As you would summon the sun every day in training camp, "Come on out big fella,' I am wishing you a peaceful rest, Big Fella."
B.G. Brooks (Rocky Mountain News CU Beat Writer, 1987-2009)
"I started covering CU football and Mac in 1987, for the now defunct Rocky Mountain News and had no idea of what I was walking into or who that guy was, or what he was all about. It proved to be a ride like no other I'd taken in sports journalism, and not long after he walked away in 1994 I began thinking it was a trip that CU football might never repeat. I still believe that.
"Bill McCartney was as complex but as straightforward as any man I'd ever met. His faith was deep, genuine, controversial for some, and ultimately led him out of coaching. And he rarely looked back. Mac motivated as well or better than anyone who ever blew a whistle, and his players responded to him. He loved them unconditionally -- only slightly less than he loved God and his family -- and that love was reciprocal, which was instrumental in the restoration of Buffs football. His legacy will be measured as much by his work after football as his coaching record or championships.
"CU won't see another like him, but if it does I'm betting Mac won't mind."
Chad Brown (Linebacker, 1989-92)
"Coach Mac created a vision for my life. He told me becoming a Colorado Buffalo was going to become the springboard for the rest of my life. He told me on the football field we would win the Big Eight, and then we would win a national championship. I would become All-Big Eight then I will become an All-American and then play in the NFL.
"All came true.
"He also told me I was gonna fall in love with the state of Colorado. I'm 54 years old and I still live here. He told me I was going to meet a girl on campus and marry her, that's exactly what happened. He told me my kids would become Colorado Buffaloes as well. Both my daughter and son are University of Colorado graduates.
"I'm sure coaches say all kind of things during the recruiting process, but I don't think any coach has ever given a vision that lined up as exactly as Coach Mac's vision for me and my future.
"Coach Mac talked about two things frequently, being united as a team and believing. He managed to unite football players from all around the country, from very different places and very different backgrounds into a brotherhood that still lives on today. He also talked about belief, his personal spiritual beliefs but also his belief in each and every one on those teams.
"He was an amazing football coach, but somehow an even more amazing man and human being. Without the vision that Coach Mac had for me, the belief that he had in me, I doubt any of those things above happen. I will forever be grateful for all that Coach Mac taught me and showed me. I love you Coach."
Greg Brown (CU Assistant Coach, 1991-93)
"This great man had more influence on me than anyone outside my parents. The thousands of players and coaches he touched will always feel his impact. Rest in peace, my friend."
Brian Cabral (CU Assistant Coach, 1990-2012)
"I wouldn't be the man or coach that I am today if it wasn't for Coach Bill McCartney. He saw something in me that I didn't see in myself. He gave me my first time full-time coaching position. The best motivating coach I have ever been with. He didn't just motivate the players and bring out the best in each of them, but he also motivated coaches to get the best out of them. He was definitely a leader of men for their best.
"Not only a great motivator but also a great teacher. As a football coach, he was one the best 'X's and O's' coach schematically. He had an intuition that was usually right. I loved the night before the game when he would tell the team how we were going to beat the other team! It was different every week and we were on the edge of our seats to hear what he was going to say. He was passionate, and you never wanted to step in his way but he was always very compassionate and he was the first person you wanted to go to if you needed help.
"He knew how to speak into men! To speak into the heart of a man! He was the example of what faith is to me."
Jeff Campbell (Wide Receiver/Kick Returner, 1986-89)
"There are no words to express how thankful I am to coach Bill McCartney. Without him, I would not be where I am in my life today. He was the only coach that gave me an opportunity to play college football at the division one level. He invested in me, he pushed me, he made uncomfortable, comfortable and got every ounce of talent out of me that he could. I love that man for all he did for me, from offering me a scholarship in the first week of camp to pushing me to be the best I could for my teammates – and play at a level bigger than I ever thought I could get to. I came to the University of Colorado as an individual and I left there as part of a family that I will forever be thankful for. Coach Mac, you have made my life incredible and showed me not only how to be a great football player but a great man. I will always have you in my heart."
Lance Carl (Wide Receiver, 1983-87)
"Thank you for coaching, leading and mentoring. Thank you for loving, disciplining and guiding. Thank you for believing in me and my teammates, driving us to be better men through your words and most importantly, your actions. Thank you for keeping your promise to my mother as you stood in our dining room. Thank you for sharing your love for Jesus Christ and for being a devout follower of his word. Thank you for being a shining light in my life. Love you, Coach Mac."
John Clagett (CU Sports Information Director, 1981-84)
"I will never forget the day that Eddie Crowder brought Bill McCartney to Boulder for what seemed to be a long-shot interview. All signs were indicating that Chuck Shelton was soon to be named as coach. But on that day, Bill McCartney went from dark horse to front runner, and so too did the fortunes of the Colorado Buffaloes. Coach Mac was a great mentor and perhaps the most honorable individual I have met in my 40-plus years in sports administration. As his sports information director in his first two seasons, I had the great fortune to accompany him to his Coach Mac show at KWGN (Channel 2) during the football season. It was those trips to Denver and then back to Boulder where I had the opportunity to get to know him well, and to appreciate his kindness and to understand that his commitment to church and faith was truly what made him special. In my book, he his Buff #1."
Don DeLuzio (Linebacker, 1985-88)
"The greatest football coach in CU history! He was my coach, my mentor and my friend. He had a much greater impact on my life after I was done playing than while I was playing. He truly cared about his players and their lives. As a coach, he was the consummate motivator and recruiter. He would always say you have to win off the field before you can win on the field. He knew how important recruiting was to building a championship program. And like any great leader, he was a visionary -- willing to do things that had never been done before. He would always ask, "Who are you? Where are you going? And how will you get there?" For the Buffs, he could answer all three.
"But what I will cherish most about Mac is his unwavering faith. He loved the Lord Jesus more than anything. When he recruited me, he made sure to tell my mom that winning football games was not the most important thing in his life. His relationship with Jesus Christ was number one, his wife and family were number two, and winning football games was number three. He certainly wasn't perfect but did his best keeping those priorities intact. One of his favorite Bible passages was James 4:8, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
"Even today, whether I am faced with making a decision about business or about family, I often ask myself how would Coach handle this or what would he say in this situation. That's the kind of lifelong impact he has had on my life."
Gerry DiNardo (CU Assistant Coach, 1982-90)
"Coach Mac was someone you always wanted to be with. Regardless of what role we were in at the moment – mentor, boss or friend. I loved him for all the roles that our relationship included. Whenever I think of him, I either smile or laugh."
Karl Dorrell (CU Assistant Coach, 1992-93, 1995-98; Head Coach 2020-22)
"Coach McCartney was one of the most influential coaches in my life. He was tough, demanding, loving, honest and fair. He was a master of preparation, and that was the standard for both players and coaches alike. The scouting reports he shared with the team were always factual, insightful, and more importantly, motivating. I would be on the edge of my seat listening to him share the scouting report with the team, and what it would take to win the game. Mac was one of the best motivators in football.
"I loved Mac and the man he was because he loved us first. It was a love like a father would have for his own children. There are many coaches and former players that would say that was the case. I will miss you Mac. The Lord has his coach with him now."
Jon Embree (Tight End, 1983-86; CU Assistant Coach/Tight Ends 1993-94; Head Coach 2011-12)
"I feel very blessed to have been in Coach Mac's first recruiting class. Mac did something very unusual when he had all the in-state players visit on the last recruiting weekend of the year. He had eleven of us in all – Ed Reinhardt, Barry Helton, David Tate, Sam Smith, Eric McCarty, Curt Koch, Rick Wheeler, Troy Wolf, Dave DeLine, Jeff Glenn and myself. I actually took the trip so I wouldn't be bothered by other coaches recruiting me – I was deciding between Ohio State and UCLA. On Sunday morning, the last day of the trip, we were all hanging out and talking, and as a group, we all decided to go to CU. That class was responsible for beating 'Lil' Red' for the first time in 19 years and going to back-to-back bowl games. Then three years after we left CU, we were playing for the national championship and in four years we won it. Coach helped us grow from boys to young men. He made sure we all graduated.
"Then after I was finished playing professionally, he made me a volunteer coach, and after just one year, he had the faith in me to make me the full-time tight ends coach. And I've been coaching ever since. One thing I'll remember most about Mac was his persuasiveness – the man convinced a whole state to not wear red. The impact he's had on my life and those of my teammates is immeasurable. He will be sorely missed, but in classic Mac fashion, he fought all the way to the end."
Christian Fauria (Tight End, 1991-94)
"Along with my mother and father, Coach Bill McCartney had the biggest impact on my life and who I am today. His passion for football was only overshadowed by his faith in God and his love for his family. He could inspire and convince anyone that they could accomplish things usually unattainable for ordinary men. His Thursday night speeches were legendary. No one left that room uninspired or lacking pride that we were the Buffs. Mac was able to tap into something deeper, something that could elevate us beyond our own perceived limits. Coach Mac understood the true power of inspiration. He bonded my teammates and I as brothers, he created a sense of achievement and self-worth that resonates to this day.
"More importantly and more valuable than any trophy or individual achievement, he helped me be a better father, husband and son. I am truly indebted to coach Mac and proud to call myself one of his former Buff players.
I will miss him dearly."
J.J. Flannigan (Running Back, 1986-89)
"I had to wait overnight to gather my thoughts before I could write something about my former coach Bill McCartney. Like any father-son relationship, we had our moments. Being highly recruited out of Southern California and not being able to play my freshman year, this man encouraged me to be better every day. But I still had growing to do. After being arrested for racial situations twice in my junior year I just about gave up on Colorado and his football team. But this man challenged me again after my junior year. I came back stronger, faster, and better mentally to play this game. When Eric Bieniemy broke his leg in the 4th game of the '89 season, everything came to reality … I WAS READY!!! NEARLY 1,300 YARDS AND 18 TOUCHDOWNS TO HELP MY TEAM go 11-0 and win the Big 8. Through the ups and downs and through the good and bad, I want to say thank you and truly rest in power Coach Mac!! We'll see you on the other side of the mountain!
Chris Fowler (CU student assistant SID, 1982-85; ESPN Game Day/reporter/announcer 1987-present)
"Above all, Bill McCartney was a true believer. His conviction and authenticity created belief in others, when no evidence of what he preached was possible. Colorado football is a history of peaks and (deep) valleys. When I arrived as a student assistant in the athletic department in the early '80s, the Buffs were rock bottom. All great achievements begin with belief. Coach Mac, who had never been in charge of a football program, convinced assistant coaches, recruits, and fans to share in his beautiful, improbable vision. Then, followed the hard job of teaching players how to win.
"Five years after I left CU, I was covering the Orange Bowl National Championship game for ESPN. The final seconds ticked off, I took my first deep breaths in hours and tried to keep my emotions in check. Here came Coach Mac in my direction, in a swarm of delirious celebration around him. My old-fashioned microphone was connected to the TV camera with a cable, which had gotten tangled around my ankles. As he was hustled over to me, wearing that infectious grin he had, I spun around twice and held out the microphone, and tried to stay collected for a postgame interview that remains one of my warmest professional memories. I will never forget the grin on his face. The Buffs had made the summit, from those first baby steps of belief.
"That night is Miami encapsulated what Mac had created, a football program that embodied brotherhood, courage, grit, and resilience in the face of heartbreak. The victories, conference championships, and Heisman Trophy that followed under Bill McCartney's leadership forever reshaped Colorado's place on the college football landscape. He remains the most important figure in the modern history of CU football. Like most fellow Buffs, I will always remember Mac with deep gratitude and affection. Every Buff fan will remember fondly what Mac did for CU.
"His final years have been so challenging and often heart wrenching for those who care about him. I wish him an eternity of peace."
Dr. Gordon Gee (University of Colorado President, 1985-90)
"I have so many fond memories of Coach Mac, I really loved him. He was quite a character, and I always appreciated the fact that he was a very charismatic man and a very charismatic religious person. As an example of that, SMU decided that they were going to try and get Bill as its coach after the NCAA penalties. I called Bill and asked him what the heck he was doing, and he said he was going to take the SMU job. I said, 'Remember coach, I saved you from oblivion when you were here when you were not doing very well.' He came to my office with Bill Marolt and I asked Mac why he was taking the job, and he told me that God told him to. So I pulled out my Bible out my left drawer and he and I went at it for 45 minutes, volleying scripture and verses at each other – Marolt sat there watching us like it was a tennis match. Finally, he got so mad, he slammed his hand on the table and said he was going to talk to his preacher. He came back later and told me that his preacher said you're right!
"Bill was a man of passion, he built Colorado football into a national brand, and without a doubt, he brought a sense of purpose to our entire athletic program. He set the tone for Colorado football for all these many years."
Rick George (CU Recruiting Coordinator, 1987-91; Athletic Director, 2013-present)
"I am very saddened at the passing of Coach Mac. I was fortunate to be able to say goodbye to Coach in person last week. Coach Mac was an incredible man who taught me about the importance of faith, family and being a good husband, father and grandfather. He instilled discipline and accountability to all of us who worked and played under his leadership. The mark that he left on CU football and our athletic department will be hard to replicate. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mike, Tom, Kristy, Marc and their families. I have many fond memories of Coach Mac and will hold those close to my heart. God bless Coach Mac."
Theo Gregory (CU Academic Coordinator, 1986-93)
"A sad time for me. Bill was one the best coaches and human beings I have every worked with -- the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all-time). His integrity, the appreciation he had for the student-athlete, and his loyalty to his faith and family. People talk about a "cradle of coaches," it's astonishing how many of his assistants went on to lead other programs. And what he did for black coaches was incredible, and Rick George has continued Mac's legacy of giving opportunities to not only black coaches, but administrators. He was always so good to me. A truly good human being."
Darian Hagan (Quarterback, 1988-91)
"You will always be my favorite person! I want to thank you for your love, trust, kindness and guidance. You taught us so many lessons about love and one of my favorite lessons is agape love. I am grateful that you saw something special in all of US and got US all to trust one another and play for each other, because no one was bigger than THE TEAM. When you recruited me from South Central L.A., I knew that my life would be better because you were one of a kind! You saved my life and I'm a better man because of you. I am saddened that you are no longer with US, but God and Lyndi needed you more. Love you forever Coach!!
He also recorded a video that was played for Coach Mac in the recent days. Here's what he addressed directly to him:
"I just wanted to you know that I love you and appreciate you. You've done a lot for so many people – you saved my life and so many others. So I wanted you to hear my voice, I wanted you to know that no matter what, I love you and we all turned out well because of you. Thank you, appreciate you, and I'll love you forever. Hags."
Mike Hankwitz (CU Assistant Coach, 1985-94)
"I felt honored to have worked for Mac because he stood for all the right things in coaching, and the way he dealt with his players. He was a fierce competitor and he wanted to win every game, but he wanted to do to everything by the rules. He didn't want to skirt any of them or do anything remotely illegal. He truly wanted every player to become the best player they could be, but also to become great men, fathers and successful in their future endeavors. The bottom line was that he cared about everyone, and everybody who played or worked for him ws better for it. I know that I was. Before I was hired, I had never really met him, even though we were both at Michigan at different times, so I was surprised when he called and offered me a position job. Some of other assistants said that the program was ready to pop, and things sure did turn out right."
Steve Hatchell (President/CEO NFF-College Football Hall of Fame/Former Orange Bowl Executive Director)
"I had so many great personal moments with Bill McCartney. When I was with the Orange Bowl, it was hard to hide the thrill of hosting my alma mater, and it was all because Mac had CU reaching new heights. They had captured the nation's attention and to this day those were two of the highest-rated Orange bowls in history. And what a privilege it was to induct him into the College Football Hall of Fame, he was very humble about it and credited everyone around him. It was always a first-class experience whenever we dealt with him, some truly great moments."
Dan Hawkins (CU Head Coach, 2006-10)
"The world, college football, and Buff nation lost a great man and influencer in Bill McCartney. It was a sad day to hear the news of his passing. Coach was a great mentor of mine during my time at Colorado. From the very first day of my arrival, he openly shared his time, knowledge, wisdom, and love with me whenever and wherever.
"Our first meeting he wanted to meet at a coffee shop at 6:30 in the morning. I arrived early at 6:15. Coach was, of course, already seated and waiting. When I walked up to him, his first words were, "You are late"! It was my first experience with the intentionality and intensity with which he pursued all of life. I treasured every interaction with Mac. A notebook was always in hand because the wisdom was flowing richly from his heart, mind, and lips. The sessions were always about his love of God, family, and the Buffs. Coach always viewed Boulder as "magical."
"Being able to learn from former Coach Eddie Crowder and Bill McCartney was a direct portal to the knowledge of college football icons Oklahoma football coach, Bud Wilkinson and Michigan football coach, Bo Schembechler. Life changing to say the least. The head coach parking spot was always left open for the true leader, Coach Mac. He was always a regular in our suite for home games. My wife knew he wanted to be left alone and watch the game interrupted.
"Coach, thank you for your life's work bringing people to God, for your love and advancement of people, and to your endless dedication and devotion to Buff nation. God Bless you and your family. You are extremely respected and loved. We are grateful for your life well lived."
Chris Hudson (Cornerback/Safety, 1991-94)
"Coach Mac was one of the pillars in my life, he taught me a lot about life. He is what a man calls, 'A Man's Man.' He helped me to channel my beliefs and goals and to never compromise myself in anything I believe in. I think about Coach every week, if not every day, because something comes up in my life always relates to something that I learned from him, either through him speaking to us as a team, or something said to me specifically. I love Coach -- and I'm so glad he proved to be the man he told me he was when during recruiting, he sat on my couch in my house with my mother and I. Thank God and I am blessed that he is a part of me."
Charles Johnson (Quarterback, 1987-90; Orange Bowl MVP)
"Coach Mac: Thank you for believing in me! You took a chance on an undersized Black Quarterback from Detroit. You promised me that I would have the opportunity to play the game and the position I grew to love so much! While all others doubted my ability to perform at this level, you believed in me. In fact, I will never forget sitting in your office as an 18-year old freshman who had never traveled west of Chicago, unsure about the decision to attend the University of Colorado. After about 20 minutes of listening to your message, you looked directly into my eyes and told me, 'I believe in you!' It was exactly what I needed to hear. Your unapologetic message of fairness for all regardless of race or class further instilled the confidence in me that I belonged. While we went on to accomplish amazing things on the field, the lessons learned from our time together transcended our football success. Over the years, I've come to appreciate that your belief in me wasn't limited to my ability to perform on the field. You believed that I could grow to be a positive contributor to my community. You believed that I could lead my children to realize their own dreams; you believed that I would leave the spaces I occupied in a better place. I owe so much Coach Mac; I love you with all my heart – Thank you for believing in me!
"P.S. I sure wish we had one more down together!"
Terry Kahl (CU golf alum/1981 Big 8 Champion; Former head professional at Boulder Country Club)
"I feel extremely blessed and honored to have had the opportunity to meet and know him. He rarely came out to BCC and used his complimentary membership since he didn't want to have something his assistants didn't. There was one rare occasion he came out to play with some friends and then hosted them in the Men's Grill post-round. He was the only one left and I was walking through to check on things and he asked if he could buy me a beer and tell me the behind-the-scenes story of the "Fifth Down" game at Missouri. It was amazing!
"I loved going to those Friday football luncheons when he was coaching and taking my dad. He was so motivational and inspiring, by the time the lunch was over, my dad and I were ready to put on the pads and the chin straps and follow Ralphie out on the field! Coach Mac was a great human being, I think of him often and will surely miss him."
Dave Logan (CU alum, KCNC-TV broadcaster, 1986-94)
"My first real introduction to Mac was in 1983 when he reached out and asked me if I would write a letter to Eric McCarty, who was a senior at Boulder High School. He thought I would be someone who could talk about the University of Colorado and the benefits that a kid from Colorado could enjoy by staying home and going to CU. And I did it. From my time covering the Buffs, calling his games and hosting his TV show on Channel 4, I just found him to be genuine, authentic and someone who could inspire others just with his incredible ability to communicate."
Mike MacIntyre (CU Head Coach, 2013-18)
"Bill McCartney was a visionary and forerunner for men of every generation. His passion was unmatched and his message was foundational. He inspired men to dream big and follow hard after Jesus and His ways. He went first by living a life of integrity and dedicated his life to raising up generations who would become promise keepers. The fruitfulness of his life will continue to grow through the impact that he made on each life that he encountered. I am one of those lives and am so thankful to have known him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends who will miss this spectacular man each day. May we all find peace and comfort in the Presence of the One who made all the difference in Bill's life!"
Bill Marolt (CU Athletic Director, 1984-96)
"Coach Mac was the amazing coach and leader. He took us to a place in college football that no one who has been involved with CU Football thought possible or even dreamed of as a matter of fact. Through the years that we worked together, there was always a message that he would deliver to his staff, his team, or to others that he met along his journey. Two of my favorites are:
"If you set a goal and you are really committed to accomplishing the goal, you must be willing to write it down and put it on the wall for everyone to see!"
And the other is:
"If you are going to lead you have to know what your non-negotiables!"
Eric McCarty (Fullback/Linebacker, 1983-87)
"Coach Mac was more than a football coach; he was a transformative figure whose influence reached far beyond the field. From the very first time I met him in June 1982, his piercing eyes and voice of conviction stirred my soul. His unwavering passion and faith left an indelible mark on my life. His influence extended far beyond the football field shaping me into the man I am today. He inspired me as an ordinary young man to do extraordinary things, to be a man of integrity, faith, and purpose. He did that not only for me, but for all of my teammates and all those young men that played football for him at CU.
"Coach Mac's words and particularly his pregame speeches were riveting, captivating us with every word. His passion was contagious, instilling belief in our hearts and driving us to greatness. And he didn't just prepare us for games; he prepared us for life—teaching us how to be honest, ethical, forthright and hardworking. He shaped us into men, fathers, husbands and leaders in our professions and communities. He cared for each of us deeply, praying for us, for our families, and even for our futures.
"I'll never forget how intertwined our families became after Coach Mac and his family settled in Boulder in 1982. My brother Conrad and I played football with his sons Mike and Tom, and later, Marc played alongside Chance. His wife Lyndi was so dear to us all. When we had death or tragedy in our family, the McCartneys were always there for us and with us. Mike, Tom, Kristy, Marc, and their families, our hearts and prayers are with you. Your family will always hold a special place in the hearts of the McCartys and the University of Colorado community.
"Coach Mac's impact on my life extended long after my playing days. He read scripture at my wedding in a small town in Alabama, prayed over my marriage to Miriam, and personally celebrated milestones like my medical school graduation. He was there for me at every pivotal moment, grounding each with his faith and wisdom. His faithfulness in prayer was remarkable. He showed in his prayer book where he prayed for Miriam and I and then our kids as each one was born. He would get up early in the morning and pray for hundreds upon hundreds of people.
"His prayer and sharing of faith was critical for me when I was a freshman. My knee was blown out and I required knee surgery and thus sitting out that year. It was devastating. And as I lay in the hospital bed after surgery, Coach Mac prayed with me and reminded me to trust in God for direction in the path ahead and he shared a verse; Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. That verse has never left me and has been shared by me countless number of times with athletes that have been hurt.
"Coach Mac's vision was unparalleled. He had a unique ability to touch us individually while uniting us as a team. His recruiting efforts at the University of Colorado were legendary -- he recruited me and many others in his first recruiting class. The allure of schools like USC, Stanford and Michigan were compelling for me and I thought I was ready to leave Boulder. However, Mac had other ideas for me and more than a dozen other Colorado kids who were looking elsewhere. He asked all of the in-state recruits not to commit anywhere else until we visited CU. He had all of us come in on the same weekend and what was so unique, it was the weekend before national signing day in February. This is something you could never do now with all of the early commits that go on. What happened as the top Colorado recruits came together, is that we forged a bond and he inspired us to make a pact to bring CU football back to prominence. In the end, although we all looked elsewhere, we ended up coming to CU and we are so thankful to Mac for that opportunity. That decision changed our lives forever, and we owe it all to him.
"Coach Mac's legacy is not just in the games won but in the lives he transformed. He was a great man of faith who spoke the truth, inspired greatness, and cared deeply for everyone he encountered. We are forever grateful for his influence, and we will carry his lessons with us always and these lessons will carry on into our children and our grandchildren and for generations to come. Mac, thank you for the life you lived, teaching us to believe, to lead, and to live with faith and purpose."
Mark McIntosh (KCNC-TV's CU beat reporter, 1988-2006)
"I have plenty of memories when it comes to CU football. But later in life,as I went through the trials and tribulations with health, marriage issues or career shifts, nobody was a better mentor to me than Coach Mac. He coached me and others until his final days. I will miss him greatly."
Scott McMichael (CU Senior Director of Development/Interim Alumni C Club Director, 2007-22)
"During my time with CU Athletics, I had the pleasure of attending several CU events both official and unofficial with Coach Mac. I was always amazed at how cordial and approachable he was with our fans and supporters. Not only was Mac a legendary coach, but he was also a great ambassador for the University. Some of my fondest memories were taking him to CU football and basketball practices. He really enjoyed interacting with our coaches and student-athletes (once a coach, always a coach). Coach Mac touched so many lives in a positive way and will truly be missed."
Rick Neuheisel (CU Assistant Coach 1994; Head Coach 1995-98)
"I only got to spend one year with Mac, but it was good for a lifetime of lessons. I carried those pieces of wisdom with me throughout my coaching career, and have always cherished the time I got to spend with him. I have so many memories from that one season, from the 'Miracle in Michigan' to Rashaan Salaam's electrifying run to go over 2,000 yards. We were a national championship caliber team, but just weren't able to get it done that one Saturday in Lincoln. But it was a lesson in 'Coaching 101' that served me well from those days on. No one was more committed to the profession of coaching and also the commitment to kids as Mac was in terms that he was raising good people as well."
Kimbirly Orr (Executive Director, Alumni C Club)
"Hearts are breaking across the country as news of Coach Mac's passing travels. My first job within CU Athletics was working for Coach McCartney as a recruiting assistant. Little did I know that my student-worker hourly job would lead me to a life-long love for Coach Mac and the McCartney family. My condolences are with Coach's children and grandchildren, and his former players who grieve this immense loss."
Tom Petersen (CU Assistant SID, 1987-92)
"I was a 25-year-old kid who had just started working in the CU sports information department when Coach Mac called me to his office. As I walked over to the stadium from the field house annex, I thought I was in trouble for something I had done with the media earlier that day after morning practice. Instead, Coach Mac personally welcomed me to the CU family and wanted me to know that if I needed anything, not only for my job, but anything at all, I should just ask. He wanted me to know that everyone was important, no matter what their role. I thought about what he said that day in his office a lot during my years in Boulder. And, although short, I am grateful for my time at CU. When I think of those who were influential in my life, I have to include Coach Mac. I have tried to take Coach's words to heart throughout my career, always striving to make those I worked with feel as wanted and respected as he made me feel. Coach Mac was truly the ultimate coach and teacher."
David Plati (CU Sports Information Director, 1984-2022)
"One of the first things that come to mind when I think of Coach Mac was the week leading up to the Iowa State game in 1994, which turned out to be his last –though nobody knew it at the time. Rashaan Salaam had rushed for 1,796 yards, and with 2,000 within reach, he called me into his office and wanted full-fan involvement. We printed up something like 20,000 goldenrod-colored placards with "2,000" on them for the fans. Then the day before the game, he had another idea – to update Rashaan's yardage after every carry on the scoreboard. It seemed so un-Mac like, but the anticipation in the stadium grew and grew until he made the 67-yard TD run to go over 2,000. Folsom Field exploded in pure joy – Mac had nailed it.
"After I was named the S.I.D. in 1984, in our first conversation, he gave the best piece of advice that I followed my entire career: "If you have to lie, don't."
Mickey Pruitt (Safety, 1984-87)
"Coach Mac: A man who gave a city kid from Chicago an opportunity to help build a program back from the depths, and the chance to pursue dreams in both football and education at CU. He led young adults to become men. He challenged us and believed in our potential to be successful. My prayers to Mike, Tom, Kristy and Marc and forever loved."
Joe Romig (CU Football Alum '61/College Football Hall of Fame)
"I have great memories of Bill. Our friendship began one fall afternoon in 1960 when the Colorado Buffaloes went to Columbia to face the #1 team in the nation, the Missouri Tigers. Bill was the center for the Tigers and I was the middle-linebacker for the Buffaloes. We got to know one another very well that afternoon. In later years, Bill claimed I broke his nose whereas I claimed his nose broke my thumb.
"I remember the delight that Bobby Anderson and I had when we learned that our friend, Eddie Crowder, had hired Bill as our next coach. Memories from 1960 came back, and I knew we had a winner. Bill Marolt and Gordon Gee knew that as well. In a few years, when Colorado took the field, other teams feared them.
"Bill was a great coach. In addition, he lived his philosophy both on and off the field. I will miss him greatly."
Matt Russell (Linebacker, 1992-96)
"In the course of your life, most people aren't fortunate enough to cross paths with a person like Coach Mac. For us, he was a role model, coach, and a father away from home who cared deeply about every player. When I look back on coming to CU, it was as a privilege. A privilege to be there for the Thursday night team meetings, to have 9-on-7 drills with Mac right in the middle of them, to be a part of a culture of winning and winning for each other. Coach Mac scoured the country for the top talent and brought us all to Boulder to create life-long special memories. And I will always consider Coach Mac one of the most influential, positive and unifying people I've ever had in my life. He has been impactful in my journey and I'll miss Coach Mac dearly."
Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders (CU Head Coach, 2023-present)
"Coach Mac was an absolute legend on and off the field. He took CU to the top of college football and he is fully ingrained in every fiber of the history of this program. I first knew of his impact becoming close with several former Buffs throughout my NFL career. He produced great football players but better men. I was honored to have the opportunity to meet Coach Mac after I became the head coach and his passion for CU was evident. The thing I admired most about Coach Mac is that he was unapologetically himself. Many of the characteristics he valued are what we are using to get this program back to the level he attained."
Ron Scott (CU Football Alum '67; Director of Development, 1982-91)
"Coach Mac impacted so many, in so many ways. When he arrived and circled Nebraska, I knew things were going be different for CU. He then promoted Promise Keepers to a point where a million men showed up on the Mall in Washington, D.C. He was truly a one-of-a-kind, special man."
Matt Sebree (Placekicker, 1994)
"I knew I had no shot of playing my freshman year, yet every Saturday I ran out behind Ralphie ready to run through a wall for the man. He did something for me I'll never forget. A friend of mine had cancer for a third time and was in his last days. He was a diehard Buffs fan. I called Bill and said is there anything you can do for him? He picked up the phone and had an hour-long conversation with him. The next day his brother called me and told me he had passed away and said he was ready to meet his maker after getting off the phone with coach. Who does that? What a great coach and better man. He will be missed."
Hank Siegel (KMGH-TV Channel 7 Sports Producer, 1989-96)
"It was a highlight of my career to have participated in the media covering those teams and so fortunate to have had the opportunity to interact with Coach Mac. He was a man to be admired, living a righteous life with humility. We could use more men like him. My best recollection is one time coming up to CU following the championship season when I ran into him, congratulating him on the win and he responded, 'Thanks, it was a great day.' I replied, 'Yes, but I had a better one.' Somewhat puzzled, he asked me, 'How's that?' 'Well, my first daughter was born just hours before the game.' He agreed, saying, 'Yes, you did!' Mac had always said family came before football."
Bob Simmons (CU Assistant Coach, 1988-94)
"Knowing Coach Mac was a fundamental change to my life as a person. He helped develop me with high moral values in my Christian walk. Coach Mac also championed and was instrumental in the promotion of minority coaches and players. My family and I will forever be thankful and grateful for our relationship with Coach Mac."
Kordell Stewart (Quarterback, 1991-94)
"Coach Mac was a great man of men. He was a man who knew how to get a group of men from all backgrounds together to accomplish a common goal. That was to WIN. We looked the same on the field, which helped us understand there was no one player greater than the TEAM. Through that, we learned how to be there for each other. And to this day because of that common goal of winning and respecting each other, we still stay in touch in that fashion. Coach Mac was a man of GOD who instilled his coaching principles along those lines. It was appreciated and NEVER forgotten. And so everyone knows that the Colorado Buffaloes were not entrusted to a man that was timid nor weak in Bill McCartney."
Herchell Troutman (Running Back, 1994-97)
"R.I.P., Coach Mac. I would have run through a wall for this man, not enough words to describe the value of this man. Blessed to have had you as coach and a mentor. I will never forget you coming to my grandma's house sharing biblical verses, and she said to me this is where you need to be. So I chose Colorado over Miami. Coach Mac was a true leader of men."
Ron Vanderlinden (CU Assistant Coach, 1983-91)
"Coach Bill McCartney has had a tremendous positive impact on my life. Coach Mac was my high school football coach at Dearborn Divine Child and led our team to three Catholic League championships, and my senior year, to the state title.
"Coach Mac was also responsible for my being hired on Bo Schembechler's staff as a graduate assistant at the University of Michigan when he was defensive coordinator. The opportunity to grow and learn as a coach at Michigan would lead to my later being hired on Coach Mac's Colorado staff in 1983.
"Having played for Coach McCartney in high school, and working under him at Michigan for two seasons, I had witnessed his tremendous football intellect. Just one example would be in 1980, as Michigan's defensive coordinator, his game plan and his defenders' execution, shutout Purdue, 26-0, and its unanimous All-American and future NFL quarterback Mark Herrmann. After the victory, Coach McCartney was named the defensive player of the week in the Big Ten, which was unprecedented for a coach to be recognized in this way.
"In 1982, Bill McCartney was hired to rebuild the Colorado Buffalo football program that had only won a total of seven games the previous three seasons. I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to join his CU staff. Alongside the strong group of coaches he assembled, it was Coach McCartney's outstanding abilities as a football tactician, his strong and unwavering leadership, motivation, and his ability as a recruiter (while always staying within the rules, and the intent of the rules) that led to elevating the Colorado program to the top of college football. Coach McCartney's Hall of Fame career includes a 93-55-5 record at CU, winning three Big 8 Championships and the 1990 National Championship.
"Most importantly, Bill McCartney was a loving father and husband, and a strong man of God. I will always appreciate his continued spiritual guidance and encouragement throughout my life."
Michael Westbrook (Wide Receiver, 1991-94)
"I was thinking about the man and the coach, and the difference between the two. It's such a fascinating journey because of the complexity of our relationship. He plucked me out of high school like somebody plucking a fruit from a tree, but without knowing if it was edible or not. He had never seen me play football, he saw me in the gym playing a pick-up basketball game at my high school—he was there recruiting another guy. He literally called me over and offered me a full scholarship on the spot, and he had never met before. I can still hear him say, 'Do you want to play football at the University of Colorado.' That was it. Period. No looking at film or talking to a coach. That's what my story is so insane, but I didn't know any different. That was the genius football coach that we were dealing with. It was the beginning for a three-time All-American and the fourth pick in the NFL Draft. So he made a decision to give a kid a scholarship from watching me dunk a basketball a few times. That was one of the small aspects—I'm using me as an example because that was my relationship with him.
"But the man in him took that same kid and kicked him off the team because he was messing up in class. I couldn't be reinstated until I did right in my school work. But that was the best thing for me – it taught me a lesson. I didn't want to lose football, so I became competitive in the classroom. And not until I passed all the tests that I was supposed to pass that he let me back on the team. I was having a rough time, but I got eligible for the '91 season, had a great freshman campaign and everything was fine from then on.
"The man part of Coach Mac took that boy and became a father figure to him, one who desperately needed a father figure. He was not only that, but he was that to hundreds of boys that he helped turn into men, perhaps even at the expense of maybe even his personal life, he helped young boys become men. To sum Bill McCartney, he was a father to most of us."
Alfred Williams (Linebacker, 1987-90)
"The life of Bill McCartney will be remembered is one that was full of faith. It was apparent of my time with him and my time watching him grow into a fantastic leader, his impact with religion and the people and families he could affect. He was a brilliant coach but was a better man. I have so many funny stories with Coach Mac, my favorite is after we played in the first national championship game, Coach Mac started hearing rumors that I was going to declare myself for the NFL Draft. Not sure where those started, but they were never true. What was true is that when we had our end of the year meeting, I told him that I wanted to redshirt before my senior year. He leaned forward in his chair, looked at me with this surprising look on his face and said, 'You want to redshirt?' He then explained why I shouldn't redshirt my senior year. It was the funniest conversation – he went from thinking I wanted to leave to wanting to stay around another two years.
"It (CU) was the most perfect environment I had ever seen in football, including all my years in the NFL. The greatest collection of coaches and players that I've ever been around. Those teams – '89 and '90 – I consider those some of the greatest teams that ever existed because I know how they were built. To go from my freshman year when we were 7-4 and declined going to a bowl game to playing for the national championship back to back.
"Playing for Mac, I could still see him walking around the field with a ruler in hand. He coached the punt team and took a lot of pride in it. That was the one area he kept for himself. He wanted to make sure it was always great – we had All-Americans on that team Barry Helton, Keith English, Tom Rouen – the one time it didn't work out was against the Rocket.
"It was fantastic knowing in his heart how he truly felt about people. It was a pleasure to know him, not just as a coach, but to know him as a man."
Neill Woelk (Longtime Boulder Camera Sportswriter/Columnist)
"From a journalist's perspective, you always knew Mac was going to give you a fair shake. He took the time to learn the names of the reporters who covered the team on a regular basis, he provided thoughtful answers and he treated every member of the media with respect. He could be tough if he didn't like what you had written the previous week, but he didn't hold grudges. Mac knew the media had a job to do and if you treated him fairly with your reporting and opinion, he offered the same in return."
John Wristen (CU Graduate Assistant Coach, 1990-91; Assistant Coach 1999-2005)
"Coach Mac had a vision. He used the "red letter for Nebraska to get a whole state behind him. He was a very intense, no-nonsense leader who influenced my career. He set the standard for everything he touched. A competitive, tough leader of men. Thanks, Coach Mac, for helping me grow. Thanks for making me better. Rest in Peace, Coach Mac."
Mark Johnson & Gary Barnett break down the win vs. Wyoming | The Buffalo Stampede: Colorado Football
Sunday, September 21
Introducing Ralphie VII
Friday, September 19
Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders Weekly Press Conference
Tuesday, September 16
Mark Johnson & Gary Barnett break down the loss at Houston | The Buffalo Stampede: Colorado Football
Saturday, September 13