BOULDER — In seeking some insight into what to expect from Arizona this weekend beyond film study, Colorado coach Jon Embree needed only to walk down the hall.
CU defensive coordinator Greg Brown and defensive line coach Mike Tuiasosopo were on Arizona’s staff last year.
Colorado (1-9, 0-6 Pac-12) will host Arizona (2-7, 1-6) at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Folsom Field.
“It always helps to some extent when you’re familiar with their personnel and the characteristics of what they like to do,” Brown said Monday after CU’s practice. “That always helps.
“But, hey, Arizona also has an advantage (in preparing) at their end, knowing Tui and myself.”
Brown left Colorado after the 2009 season to become co-assistant defensive coordinator at Arizona under Mike Stoops. He returned CU a year later to join Embree’s first staff.
Tuiasosopo is in his first year at Colorado after coaching the Arizona defensive line for seven seasons (2004-10). He was an original member of Stoops’ staff there.
Although Arizona has lost key players on defense, Brown said the Wildcats aren’t your ordinary 2-7 team. Brown predicts that Arizona quarterback Nick Foles (6-foot-5, 215 pounds) and wide receivers Juron Criner (6-4, 215) and Dan Buckner (6-4, 220) will play in the NFL.
Stoops, younger brother of Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, was fired Oct. 10 after compiling a record of 41-50 during eight years in Tucson. Arizona named defensive coordinator Tim Kish as interim head coach.
“The only thing you get (from Brown and Tuiasosopo) is personnel stuff — a certain kid likes to do this or this,” Embree said. “As far as what Arizona is doing, it’s a little different than when they were there.”
Injuries update.
Embree said freshman linebacker Brady Daigh (dislocated wrist) has been cleared to play against Arizona. He will wear a cast during the game and will need surgery after the season, Embree said Monday.
Another freshman, safety Kyle Washington, will be evaluated later in the week for symptoms of a concussion.
Safeties Ray Polk (concussion) and Anthony Perkins (ankle) remain “day-to-day,” meaning there is a possibility they could return for Saturday’s game.
CU names development head.
Kurt Gulbrand, an assistant athletic director at Michigan for the past 11 years, was named Monday as Colorado’s assistant vice president and associate athletic director for development, the school announced.
Gulbrand, 42, will lead fundraising efforts to support Colorado’s 16 NCAA-sanctioned teams. As a 1995 graduate of Oregon State, he knows the Pac-12.
“Kurt understands the sense of urgency to capitalize on our historic move (to the Pac-12),” CU athletic director Mike Bohn said in the news release.
Footnotes.
CU sophomore defensive backs Parker Orms and Paul Vigo, who practiced last week after having their suspensions (violation of team rules) lifted, will play against Arizona, Embree said. Orms worked as a first-team cornerback Monday. … CU’s Nov. 19 game at UCLA was picked up by Versus for a national telecast, and kickoff is 5:30 p.m. MST. . . . According to Internet recruiting sites, running back Erich Wilson (6-1, 185) of Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, Calif., has committed to Washington after switching from Colorado.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
