FORT COLLINS — Sonny Lubick headed to the weekly team meeting Monday with what he called his best speech ever. He would only say it was about not quitting, not ever giving up.
And Lubick said he would follow that ideal with his job. He was adamant he would not quit during the season.
“Why do that? All we talk about around here is not quitting,” Lubick said.
The Rams (0-6) are the only Mountain West team without a conference win and take a 13-game losing streak to UNLV on Saturday. The Rebels were the last team the Rams beat – 28-7 on Oct. 7, 2006.
As for distractions for a team that already carries the burden of mounting losses, Lubick said Monday at his news conference, “I wouldn’t even talk about that. Our concern right now is for the football team. Right now their hearts are in the darn things.”
After Saturday’s loss, quarterback Caleb Hanie said Lubick had not broached the subject with the players about whether this will be his last season.
“He has the right to do whatever he wants,” Hanie said. “If he leaves, we’ll throw a huge party for the success of his life. If he wants to stay, that’s his decision and I hope he has the best season he’s ever had next year.”
Players say they don’t read the newspapers or Internet boards, but they don’t live in a vacuum, either.
“I think our head coach should be getting a little more respect than he’s getting right now,” Hanie said. “He’s persevered through everything. He deserves a lot better than what he’s getting right now.”
Said senior defensive end Jesse Nading: “We just have to dig deeper and practice harder. … Everyone is out here because we love football. Sonny Lubick is an awesome coach. This is not his fault.”
Kubiak out. Lubick said junior safety Klint Kubiak, sidelined by an ulcer since the second game, is out for the season and will apply for a medical hardship. Lubick had no update on the status of safety Mike Pagnotta’s sprained ankle, but replacement Jake Galusha’s shoulder injury is not as bad as originally feared.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
