This is the first day of the rest of Dan Hawkins’ career at CU.
If the Buffs don’t beat Colorado State and at least six other opponents, Nov. 26 will be the last day of Hawkins’ Reign of Terrible in Boulder.
Now, Colorado can afford to fire him.
It’s put up or buy out for Hawkins.
In a summer meeting of athletic department officials and head coaches, everyone present was asked how the football program could be helped. Hawkins recommended he be given a (second) contract extension.
(Pause here for guffaws.)
When asked later about his proposal, Hawkins cited “continuity” and “stability” as the reasons. Sounds like a suggestion Cicero would have made as he was being run out of Rome.
Hawkins receives about $1 million a year for salary, TV and radio shows, speaking appearances, sponsorships and football camps.
He also has incentive clauses including: $25,000 for being named Big 12 coach of the year, $50,000 if he’s a national coach of the year, $50,000 for seven regular-season victories and $25,000 more for eight, $150,000 if the Buffs win the conference championship and $250,000 if they play in a BCS bowl.
Hawkins hasn’t earned a cent of those incentives.
If he’s bought out by Jan. 13, 2011, the amount would be capped at approximately $1.7 mil.
Asking that their names not be disclosed because of their close connections to the university, three former prominent CU players, two major financial boosters, a former assistant coach, one of the most storied names in Buffs history and a high-ranking executive at CU — all of whom have been publicly loyal to Hawkins in the past — told me during the summer they no longer support him, and he should be fired if he doesn’t turn the team around this year.
The comments ranged from: “He has to prove he deserved a fifth year.”
“The Buffs don’t play with passion, and you have to blame the coach.”
“He just hasn’t gotten it done in recruiting and game-day coaching.”
“I don’t believe he really knows football.”
Last Dec. 1, CU-Boulder chancellor Phil DiStefano, who served from 2000-05 as the school’s faculty athlete representative, stated that Hawkins was the right choice when he was hired in 2006, and “we still feel that way today.”
After the Boulder Chamber of Commerce Kickoff Campaign luncheon at Balch Fieldhouse on Thursday, DiStefano was asked by the Boulder Daily Camera’s Kyle Ringo what would be “a successful season” for Hawkins.
“I think we have to look at the whole season and see what happens with each game,” said DiStefano, who, with school president Bruce Benson and athletic director Mike Bohn, decided to retain Hawkins after the 3-9 record of last season and his overall 16-33 mark in four seasons. “But my goal, of course, is to see us go to a good bowl.”
A “good” bowl is in the eyes of the chancellor and other beholders. Any of the eight possible affiliations for the Big 12 conference would be a “great bowl” for CU, especially after the Buffs have been invited to just one, in Shreveport (no longer associated with the conference), during Hawkins’ tenure. CU and Alabama both owned 6-6 records in 2007, and the Crimson Tide won.
This year, with a .500 record or better, the Buffs would be eligible for bowls — from a nice one in San Diego (Holiday) to the new one in New York City (Pinstripe), or four in Texas (Cotton, Alamo, Texas or Dallas Football Classic) and three in Arizona (Insight, Fiesta and BCS Championship.)
Still, the Buffs could go 6-6 and end up with their fifth consecutive losing record (with a bowl defeat), and if so, Hawkins should be gone.
With a 7-5 record and a bowl victory, Hawkins likely would keep his position, and get the $50,000 bonus.
With 10 (his genie wish a year ago) Hawkins might revive his extension recommendation.
But if the Buffs lose to the Rams today for the third time in five seasons, Hawkins will be fortunate to finish the season. He already is fortunate that Colorado State, coming off its own 3-9 season, has an inexperienced offensive line in front of a true freshman quarterback. CU was favored big last year before falling by six.
The Buffaloes have been an atrocious 2-20 outside Colorado under Hawkins, and have dropped 13 consecutive outside Boulder. They haven’t won a nonconference game in another state in four seasons.
This Buffs team supposedly is vastly improved.
It doesn’t have to win, necessarily, on the road, but it had better win at least five of six at home. And it must win today.
Six is quite possible; seven is reachable; eight is enough to save the coach.
Five is definitely no “good” bowl or another lease on life at Colorado for Hawkins.
Can Dan be the Man?
Woody Paige: 303-954-1095 or wpaige@denverpost.com
