BOULDER — After guiding Colorado to the greatest single-season turnaround in Pac-12 history, claimed the league’s coach of the year award on Tuesday.
MacIntyre led the Buffaloes to a 10-2 overall record and an 8-1 record in the Pac-12 that culminated in the Pac-12 South Division title and a berth in the conference championship game Friday against No. 4 Washington.
The Buffs have risen to No. 9 in the national rankings, just one season after finishing 4-9 overall and 1-8 in the Pac-12. The seven-game league turnaround was the biggest in the history of the conference.
“It’s these young men and how well they’ve played and how they’ve bought in to everything we’ve asked them to do,” said MacIntyre, who is also a strong candidate for national coach of the year honors. “Our coaching staff has done a phenomenal job with them. And then our auxiliary people. Everybody that touches our young men takes pride in our young men being successful.
“From our trainers to strength staff to equipment managers to football operations. Everybody has done so much to propel these young men and instill confidence and belief in them. I’m just fortunate enough to have ‘head coach’ in front of my name. I’m just along for the ride.”
Outside linebacker and (special teams) were named first-team Pac-12 players. Running back , offensive tackle and defensive backs , and were named to the second team.
Nine CU players were recognized as honorable mentions by the league: quarterback , receivers , and , defensive linemen and , linebacker and offensive linemen and .
“The reason we won this year is because we have really good football players,” MacIntyre said. “I definitely feel like we should have had more guys on the all-conference first team. But that’s how they chose it. The thing I think that’s awesome about our team is that we truly are a team.”
Jake Browning, the sophomore Washington quarterback CU will face Friday, was named Pac-12 offensive player of the year.
“He is a great quarterback,” Thompson said. ” It’s crazy the fact he is a young guy, but he plays like he is a senior. He controls the entire offense.”
Adoree’ Jackson of USC was named the Pat Tillman defensive player of the year. USC quarterback Sam Darnold was named the league’s offensive freshman of the year and Washington defensive back Tyler Rapp was recognized as the top defensive freshman.
