Colorado University Athletics
What They're Saying: Reaction To Fernando Lovo As Colorado's Director of Athletics
January 04, 2026 | General
Campus leaders, coaches, alumni and national voices react to Fernando Lovo being named Colorado’s next Director of Athletics
BOULDER – The University of Colorado's selection of Fernando Lovo as its next Director of Athletics has been met with immediate and wide-ranging support across college athletics, professional sports and the Buffs' own leadership ranks.
From campus administrators to national media voices and current and former coaches and student-athletes, the reaction reflects confidence in Lovo's vision, leadership style and ability to guide CU Athletics through a transformative era in college sports.
Those closest to the search emphasized Lovo's commitment to student-athlete success and his ability to navigate the evolving collegiate landscape, while others pointed to his diverse background across college athletics and the NFL as a defining strength.
Lovo's path — from behind-the-scenes roles to leading a Division I athletic department — has earned respect at every stop, and that experience is particularly valuable at a moment when adaptability and credibility are paramount in college athletics.
In all, it brings forward a belief that Lovo is well-positioned to lead the Buffs — honoring the foundation already in place while embracing the challenges and opportunities of modern college athletics.
What they're saying about Fernando Lovo:
CU President Todd Saliman: "Fernando is an excellent choice as CU Boulder's next athletic director and I'm excited to welcome him and his family to CU. His commitment to the success of our student athletes and navigating the complex collegiate environment is critical. I want to thank Rick George for his long service to the university and the foundation he built to bring us to this moment."
Current Athletic Director/AD Emeritus Rick George: "Fernando is a home run hire and the perfect person to lead CU Athletics into this new era of college athletics. He brings an enthusiasm and an energy that is infectious and I know Buff Nation is going to love engaging with him. Most importantly, he's committed to the success of CU student-athletes in competition, in the classroom, and in life. I'm looking forward to doing everything I can to help Fernando get acclimated to CU and am delighted to welcome his family to the campus and Boulder communities."
Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte: "Fernando is one of the bright, young leaders in our industry. He is a dedicated, hardworking, and forward-thinking administrator, and is an even better person with an incredible family. He did outstanding work for us in two different critical roles at Texas, was highly successful in his first athletics director position at New Mexico, and Colorado is lucky to have him."
Former Florida, Ohio State and Jacksonville Head Coach/FOX Analyst Urban Meyer: "He's the best at what he does, regardless of the responsibility. He will be a great athletic director. He's the ultimate team player with extremely high character and high work ethic. He was always a guy I could trust. When he was an undergraduate at Florida, very early on when I was around Fernando, his reputation started to make its way to me as the head coach. He was a guy that I brought with me to Ohio State. He's elite."
Former Colorado QB/Lead FOX Analyst Joel Klatt: "Fernando Lovo has infectious energy and operates with high character and integrity. His professional background uniquely prepares him to hit the ground running in Boulder driving the Buffs forward in an ever important moment for college athletics. I am very excited to see the positive impact he will certainly make for the Buffs!"
Colorado Football Coach Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders: "I'm excited to welcome Fernando and his family to Boulder. He is a man of character and the type of leader this department, city and wonderful university deserves. He has a great knowledge of football and understands what it takes to win in today's game. I'm motivated to show all of our incredible fans the tremendous heights we will take this program. God is Good."
Colorado Men's Basketball Coach Tad Boyle: "The only thing certain in college athletics today is change. With Fernando Lovo coming on board as our new athletic director, I'm excited for any changes he can make to elevate the men's basketball program at the University of Colorado to new heights. I am looking forward to working with him to change what needs to be changed. Welcome to you and your family!"
Colorado Women's Basketball Coach JR Payne: "We are really excited to have AD Lovo here in Boulder in the black and gold! I had great faith that Chancellor Schwartz and his team would find the right person to lead our department into a bright future. I know that AD Lovo is going to be a great leader for all of us Buffs!"
New Mexico Football Coach And Former Colorado GA Jason Eck: "I will be forever grateful for Fernando Lovo hiring me and giving me the opportunity at New Mexico. His leadership pushed our football program and the entire athletic department forward. Very happy for him and his family for getting this Power 4 opportunity at Colorado."
Former All-American LB Jordon Dizon, Director of Pro Personnel, Denver Broncos: "As we know the landscape of college football and the challenges that come with navigating almost daily changes, I felt like our new AD needed a diverse background of experience but also versatility. When I saw Fernando started in the equipment room at Florida, was the Chief of Staff for the Jacksonville Jaguars, an Administrator at Texas and AD at New Mexico, I was very excited we brought that type of background to CU Athletics. The hire of Jason Eck for the New Mexico program is another feather in his cap that he knows what a winning program needs and looks like. His diverse background in football culture, operations and structure will help us build for today and beyond without leveraging the future to do it. His young age is very misleading to his experiences that he has had in his journey to get to CU. He has seen different organizations at different levels, wore many hats along the way and to me, that is more indicative of what he brings to the CU Athletic Department."
Former All-American LB Chad Brown, Denver Media Personality: "I'm excited to see what Fernando Lovo brings to the AD position at CU. He made a strong early statement with the hiring of Jason Eck at New Mexico, a move that showed real vision and feel for program fit. At a pivotal moment for CU athletics, the program needs leadership with depth, perspective, and credibility. Lovo's experience at the NFL level, combined with time spent at two of college football's premiere programs, positions him well to provide the steady, forward-thinking leadership CU needs right now."
Former RB Phillip Lindsay, Denver Media Personality: "Colorado knocked it out of the park with this fantastic hire. He's young, hungry and will attack what he needs to to the right way to bring the money not just for the football program but for the athletic department as a whole. He seems like he has a plan and will paint the perfect picture so that he can make sure the University of Colorado is back on top. I love what he did at the University of New Mexico and bringing that program back. I'm excited to see what this hire can do for the university moving forward for many years."
Former QB Charles Johnson, Denver Media Personality: "Given today's uncertain college athletics landscape, I believe the Buffs hit a home run with the hiring of Fernando Lovo as our next Director of Athletics. At age 37, with stops at the University of Texas and Ohio State University, Fernando has demonstrated the ability to raise significant capital while providing stability and a forward looking vision for our future. Go Buffs!"
From campus administrators to national media voices and current and former coaches and student-athletes, the reaction reflects confidence in Lovo's vision, leadership style and ability to guide CU Athletics through a transformative era in college sports.
Those closest to the search emphasized Lovo's commitment to student-athlete success and his ability to navigate the evolving collegiate landscape, while others pointed to his diverse background across college athletics and the NFL as a defining strength.
Lovo's path — from behind-the-scenes roles to leading a Division I athletic department — has earned respect at every stop, and that experience is particularly valuable at a moment when adaptability and credibility are paramount in college athletics.
In all, it brings forward a belief that Lovo is well-positioned to lead the Buffs — honoring the foundation already in place while embracing the challenges and opportunities of modern college athletics.
What they're saying about Fernando Lovo:
CU President Todd Saliman: "Fernando is an excellent choice as CU Boulder's next athletic director and I'm excited to welcome him and his family to CU. His commitment to the success of our student athletes and navigating the complex collegiate environment is critical. I want to thank Rick George for his long service to the university and the foundation he built to bring us to this moment."
Current Athletic Director/AD Emeritus Rick George: "Fernando is a home run hire and the perfect person to lead CU Athletics into this new era of college athletics. He brings an enthusiasm and an energy that is infectious and I know Buff Nation is going to love engaging with him. Most importantly, he's committed to the success of CU student-athletes in competition, in the classroom, and in life. I'm looking forward to doing everything I can to help Fernando get acclimated to CU and am delighted to welcome his family to the campus and Boulder communities."
Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte: "Fernando is one of the bright, young leaders in our industry. He is a dedicated, hardworking, and forward-thinking administrator, and is an even better person with an incredible family. He did outstanding work for us in two different critical roles at Texas, was highly successful in his first athletics director position at New Mexico, and Colorado is lucky to have him."
Former Florida, Ohio State and Jacksonville Head Coach/FOX Analyst Urban Meyer: "He's the best at what he does, regardless of the responsibility. He will be a great athletic director. He's the ultimate team player with extremely high character and high work ethic. He was always a guy I could trust. When he was an undergraduate at Florida, very early on when I was around Fernando, his reputation started to make its way to me as the head coach. He was a guy that I brought with me to Ohio State. He's elite."
Former Colorado QB/Lead FOX Analyst Joel Klatt: "Fernando Lovo has infectious energy and operates with high character and integrity. His professional background uniquely prepares him to hit the ground running in Boulder driving the Buffs forward in an ever important moment for college athletics. I am very excited to see the positive impact he will certainly make for the Buffs!"
Colorado Football Coach Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders: "I'm excited to welcome Fernando and his family to Boulder. He is a man of character and the type of leader this department, city and wonderful university deserves. He has a great knowledge of football and understands what it takes to win in today's game. I'm motivated to show all of our incredible fans the tremendous heights we will take this program. God is Good."
Colorado Men's Basketball Coach Tad Boyle: "The only thing certain in college athletics today is change. With Fernando Lovo coming on board as our new athletic director, I'm excited for any changes he can make to elevate the men's basketball program at the University of Colorado to new heights. I am looking forward to working with him to change what needs to be changed. Welcome to you and your family!"
Colorado Women's Basketball Coach JR Payne: "We are really excited to have AD Lovo here in Boulder in the black and gold! I had great faith that Chancellor Schwartz and his team would find the right person to lead our department into a bright future. I know that AD Lovo is going to be a great leader for all of us Buffs!"
New Mexico Football Coach And Former Colorado GA Jason Eck: "I will be forever grateful for Fernando Lovo hiring me and giving me the opportunity at New Mexico. His leadership pushed our football program and the entire athletic department forward. Very happy for him and his family for getting this Power 4 opportunity at Colorado."
Former All-American LB Jordon Dizon, Director of Pro Personnel, Denver Broncos: "As we know the landscape of college football and the challenges that come with navigating almost daily changes, I felt like our new AD needed a diverse background of experience but also versatility. When I saw Fernando started in the equipment room at Florida, was the Chief of Staff for the Jacksonville Jaguars, an Administrator at Texas and AD at New Mexico, I was very excited we brought that type of background to CU Athletics. The hire of Jason Eck for the New Mexico program is another feather in his cap that he knows what a winning program needs and looks like. His diverse background in football culture, operations and structure will help us build for today and beyond without leveraging the future to do it. His young age is very misleading to his experiences that he has had in his journey to get to CU. He has seen different organizations at different levels, wore many hats along the way and to me, that is more indicative of what he brings to the CU Athletic Department."
Former All-American LB Chad Brown, Denver Media Personality: "I'm excited to see what Fernando Lovo brings to the AD position at CU. He made a strong early statement with the hiring of Jason Eck at New Mexico, a move that showed real vision and feel for program fit. At a pivotal moment for CU athletics, the program needs leadership with depth, perspective, and credibility. Lovo's experience at the NFL level, combined with time spent at two of college football's premiere programs, positions him well to provide the steady, forward-thinking leadership CU needs right now."
Former RB Phillip Lindsay, Denver Media Personality: "Colorado knocked it out of the park with this fantastic hire. He's young, hungry and will attack what he needs to to the right way to bring the money not just for the football program but for the athletic department as a whole. He seems like he has a plan and will paint the perfect picture so that he can make sure the University of Colorado is back on top. I love what he did at the University of New Mexico and bringing that program back. I'm excited to see what this hire can do for the university moving forward for many years."
Former QB Charles Johnson, Denver Media Personality: "Given today's uncertain college athletics landscape, I believe the Buffs hit a home run with the hiring of Fernando Lovo as our next Director of Athletics. At age 37, with stops at the University of Texas and Ohio State University, Fernando has demonstrated the ability to raise significant capital while providing stability and a forward looking vision for our future. Go Buffs!"
HIGHLIGHTS: Colorado Men's Basketball vs. Utah | 1.7.26
Thursday, January 08
Basketball Coaches Show featuring Tad Boyle and JR Payne | 1.5.26
Monday, January 05
Mark Johnson sits down with with new Athletic Director Fernando Lovo
Monday, January 05
Athletic Director Fernando Lovo Introductory Press Conference | 1.5.25
Monday, January 05