Boulder – After less than a day in Boulder, new Colorado football coach Dan Hawkins was the gift that keeps on giving.
A few hours before the university announced Hawkins’ five-year, $8.5 million contract at a standing-room-only news conference at Folsom Field on Friday, the coach lured from Boise State had already helped CU secure $75,000 for the athletic department.
“We had a Buff Club cabinet meeting that Coach Hawkins attended,” said Andrew Plenn, CU associate director of athletics and development. “As a direct result of Coach Hawkins’ conversation with those folks, we picked up one new commitment. That’s significant.”
That commitment is $25,000 per year for the next three years, the first donation in the Hawkins era. With the good feelings spreading throughout donor, fan and alumni circles, it won’t be the last – not even close.
Excitement isn’t just a word around the CU football program these days. From the players to the administration, the Buffs are living it. Boulder is abuzz because of the new guy promising to spread a little “Hawk love.”
The additional revenue has been the most tangible early indicator. A $1.5 million gift to be used by the CU athletic department toward the construction of a football practice bubble was announced, though athletic director Mike Bohn said it didn’t hinge upon Hawkins’ hiring. A handful of additional gifts are set to follow.
“We’ve got several gifts that I would categorize as being fairly large that we think that we’ll close prior to the calendar year end,” Plenn said. “With Mike Bohn’s energy and enthusiasm, Coach Hawkins’ energy and enthusiasm, I fully expect alums and just fans across the state are going to respond. That gift announcement was just the first step. It was a big step, but it’s the first step.”
Former CU coach Bill McCartney is on board. McCartney, who threw his initial support behind hiring UCLA assistant head coach and former CU tight end Jon Embree as CU’s next coach, met with Hawkins for 20 minutes Friday in Westminster and walked away impressed.
“I think the word is optimistic,” McCartney said. “I’m optimistic that everybody is going to rally. I’m optimistic that there’s going to be a unified effort. I’m optimistic that collaboration is going to take place that is necessary. We need a joint effort now.
“I’m a Buff. I’m going to rally behind whoever the coach is. Personally, I believe that we all need to rally.”
Hawkins spent Saturday house-hunting before catching a 5 o’clock plane to Boise, Idaho, where he has a string of days on deck that are scheduled to the brim. He will fly between Boise and Boulder as he and his family prepare to move, as he conducts practices for the Broncos’ Dec. 28 MPC Computers Bowl against Boston College, and as he gets set up on CU’s campus.
He has spoken briefly with CU assistant coaches and taken their phone numbers, making no promises other than to chat with them individually. He has made no hires, though Arizona State offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich and California defensive coordinator Bob Gregory are believed to be assistant coach candidates.
Hawkins has already addressed the players, most of whom are eager to see what’s next. All know about the blue field in Boise. Some have seen Boise State play. Young offensive players can’t wait. Defensive players will wait and see.
“The kids are really excited,” said Dave Hansburg, CU director of football operations. “I think for guys who are 18 or 21, 22, probably one of the hardest things is the unknown. Sometimes as adults we take that for granted. So just to be able to meet Coach ‘Hawk’ and hear what he has to say was good. He gave them a good motivational talk. He’s obviously really excited to be here.
“He told the kids he’s excited to work with them and listen to them and get rolling immediately. He said, ‘This is not a project; it’s already a finished project, so let’s have success.’ He really came across well to the kids, and I know they are really excited.”
In turn, returning players want to make a good impression with their play in the upcoming bowl game and tear into the playbook in the spring.
“It’s real exciting for a quarterback,” freshman quarterback Mack Brown said. “An offense like that, that’s definitely an offense a quarterback wants to play in.”
Even recruits appear to be staying on board. Hansburg said he received another call from a prospect reaffirming his commitment to CU. It is the second such call he has received in the last week.
The much-publicized recruiting restrictions may not be a burden for Hawkins. He has been given permission to extend official visits back to 48 hours, and Hansburg noted other guidelines have been relaxed.
“It’s been interesting to read about those because this year we really haven’t had too much limitation,” Hansburg said. “I don’t think we really have anything that’s going to hold us back, other than the loss and the uncertainty that we had when Coach (Gary) Barnett was here. And that’s gone.”
Footnotes
CU interim coach Mike Hankwitz said Saturday he’s not sure if quarterback Joel Klatt (concussion) will be available for the Champs Sports Bowl on Dec. 27, but that the Buffs are practicing as if they won’t have him. He said there were no other injuries of note. … The Buffs cut practice short Saturday because of the weather.
Staff writer Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-820-5455 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
