FORT COLLINS — Sonny Lubick had an emotional farewell Friday after the Colorado State football team won its season finale against Wyoming.
Whether it was for the season or for his career, there may not be an official announcement for a few days.
After the game, Wyoming coach Joe Glenn said Lubick told him he had resigned.
Glenn told reporters: “He just said, ‘You know I resigned.’ I respect him, and I always will, and congratulate him on a wonderful career.”
Reached at his home Friday night, Lubick said Glenn misunderstood what he said.
“I told him: ‘I don’t know how much longer I will be doing this. This is a tough business. This might be my last one,’ ” Lubick said.
Lubick went on to say he expects to meet “early in the week” with athletic director Paul Kowalczyk. Lubick did not see Kowalczyk after the game. Lubick said he last talked with Kowalczyk on Thursday.
In his postgame speech to the team, the 70-year-old coach said he “might not be” their coach next season, players said.
In addition, Lubick had an unusually brief news conference, closing with: “Thanks for being so kind to me throughout the years.”
Holding on to the game ball, Lubick officially said he would like to continue his storied career.
“I want to keep coaching,” he said. “We just won a game (36-28). We’ll see what transpires.”
Lubick has two years left on his contract. He is 108-74 in 15 seasons. But the Rams finished their second consecutive losing season (the fourth in his tenure) and had a 13-game losing streak bridge the past two autumns.
At halftime Friday, Kowalczyk said a time for the postseason sit-down would be figured out after the game.
“We’re not going to announce it to anyone,” he said. “Sonny has a tremendous legacy here whatever happens. He built this program and put it on the map. He’ll always have a legacy.”
As time ran out on a disappointing 3-9 season, Lubick and his tearful sons, Marc and Matt, shared a hug on the sideline.
Outside the CSU locker room, tears streamed down the face of Lubick’s wife, Carol Jo, and daughter, Michelle Boyle. Matt Lubick, an assistant coach at Arizona State, flew to Denver hours after his Thursday night game against USC to be on the sideline. Marc Lubick is the Rams’ wide-receivers coach.
Instead of their traditional postgame tailgate gathering, CSU assistant coaches and staff met briefly and assistants gave testimonials to their boss.
“I think it should be up to him,” senior quarterback Caleb Hanie said.
CSU president Larry Penley was not at the game.
Lubick took the Rams to nine bowl games and had four 10-win seasons (including 11-2 in 1997). He won six conference titles and was voted into the school’s sports hall of fame.
During a $15 million stadium expansion and renovation, the facility was renamed Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium before the 2003 season.
Lubick was offensive coordinator at CSU in 1982-84 before going to Stanford in 1985. After three seasons there, Lubick became defensive coordinator at Miami (Fla.) for five season before taking the head job at CSU before the 1993 season.
“If he decides to retire, I support him no matter what,” said CSU defensive tackle Erik Sandie. “I think he’s a great coach and he should leave whenever he wants.”
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
