BOULDER — Brian Cabral is still adjusting to his new gig as Colorado’s interim head football coach, no doubt wishing he had a second pair of eyes.
During a live-action drill at practice this week, the longtime linebackers coach was ready to chew out the defense. Then he caught himself.
“It was, ‘Oh. I need to go congratulate the offense,’ ” Cabral said. “I have to remember the other side of the ball.”
There isn’t much time for on-the-job training. Colorado (3-6, 0-5 Big 12) hosts Iowa State (5-5, 3-3) at 11:30 a.m. Saturday (FCS Central).
After the firing of Dan Hawkins was officially announced Tuesday, athletic director Mike Bohn named Cabral interim coach for the rest of the season. Cabral, 54, had served in an interim capacity for his alma mater before — in 2004 during spring practice while Gary Barnett was suspended. In that situation, however, Cabral evidently focused only on the defense.
Comfortable in his skin and honest to the core, Cabral told reporters, “I don’t have many answers,” but added he is confident the team will rebound from a difficult week that began last weekend with the historic meltdown at Kansas, when the Buffaloes blew a 28-point, fourth-quarter lead.
As for game-day procedure and protocol, Cabral will depend on offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau, defensive coordinator Ron Collins and special-teams coach Kent Riddle to run their units. Cabral said fans may not detect any changes in approach or style of play.
“I will rely and depend on the coaches,” Cabral said. “I’ve got to trust our staff. I don’t have many answers. I have to trust our coaches for their knowledge. I have to trust my guys. I will confer with them on all decisions.”
In any case, the buck will stop with Cabral for decisions that include whether to accept or decline penalties, whether to kick an extra point or go for two, whether to go for it on fourth down.
Kiesau said the staff already has had several meetings with Cabral, and there are plans for more.
“We’re going to go over every situation,” Kiesau said, “and talk through it as a staff to make sure we’re prepared for every possible scenario. We can’t have everybody on the phones talking about it. We have to be organized.”
But, Kiesau acknowledged, “We won’t know until Saturday (how the coordination of duties will function). This is all new to us.”
Cabral has handed over most of the linebacker responsibilities to Collins. That has enabled Cabral to circulate during practices. He wants to become visible to everybody so the team knows somebody is in charge.
“I’m trying to spend more time with the offense, just to see how they do it,” Cabral said. “I want the players to see me. I want them to see that I’m interested, that I care about what they’re doing and how they’re doing it.”
Players say the best thing Cabral can bring during this time of turmoil and uncertainty is his ability to motivate and the respect he commands. Cabral has been called “Mr. Buff.” He played linebacker for Colorado from 1975-77 under Bill Mallory and has been on the CU coaching staff for the past 22 years.
Between his stops in Boulder, Cabral was a member of the Chicago Bears, including their Super Bowl championship that capped the 1985 season.
CU junior quarterback Tyler Hansen is mending a ruptured spleen and will be on the sideline near Cabral. Hansen said he will try to help in any way he can.
“Coach Cabral is a great guy, and we respect him a lot,” Hansen said. “Whenever he talks, we’re going to listen. He’s not a loud yeller. But when he talks, we know he has something important to say.”
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
Three questions for CU
1. How will the team respond under interim head coach Brian Cabral? The firing of Dan Hawkins on Tuesday left the team in uncharted waters. And now it has to regain some momentum. It has been a difficult, tumultuous seven days, beginning with the 52-45 meltdown at Kansas. Is there anything left in the tank?
2. Will CU avoid turnovers? One of Kansas’ five touchdowns in the fourth quarter came on a fumble return, and another was set up by an interception. Memo to CU: Iowa State ranks 13th nationally in turnover margin, and its 22 forced turnovers rank 10th. Buffs QB Cody Hawkins needs to be aware of ISU safety David Sims at all times.
3. Can Buffs defenders finally find a way to stop Cyclones tailback Alexander Robinson? Now a senior, the 5-foot-9, 187-pounder has just about made a career out of games against the Buffs — netting a total 366 yards and scoring four touchdowns in three meetings. If Robinson reaches 100 yards for the fourth consecutive time against Colorado, it would bode well for the visitors.
Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
