“They think we can win now. Guess what? We’re going for it now.”
Strong words from Karl Dorrell, the Colorado Buffaloes’ new head football coach, on Monday during his introductory press conference. History, however, is not on his side.
Since CU joined the Big Eight Conference in 1948, only two coaches have had winning seasons in their first first year: Rick Neuheisel (1995) and Gary Barnett (1999) — both following teams that were in bowl games the year prior.
The Buffs have had just one winning season since joining the Pac-12 in 2011 — a 10-4 run in 2016 that included an Alamo Bowl appearance. They’ve had just two bowl appearances since Gary Barnett resigned in 2005. From 2006-19, Colorado has complied a 60-113 record — a .346 winning percentage.
Here’s a look at how the Buffs’ coaches fared in their first seasons:
| Coach | Year | Record |
|
|
||
| Dallas Ward | 1948 | 3-6 |
| Sonny Grandelius | 1959 | 5-5 |
| Bud Davis | 1962 | 2-8 |
| Eddie Crowder | 1963 | 2-8 |
| Bill Mallory | 1974 | 5-6 |
| Chuck Fairbanks | 1979 | 3-8 |
| Bill McCartney | 1982 | 2-8-1 |
| Rick Neuheisel | 1995 | 10-2 |
| Gary Barnett | 1999 | 7-5 |
| Dan Hawkins | 2006 | 2-10 |
| Jon Embree | 2011 | 3-10 |
| Mike MacIntyre | 2013 | 4-8 |
| Mel Tucker | 2019 | 5-7 |
Can Dorrell buck the trend and lead CU to a winning season in 2020? Mel Tucker left a nice going-away present before going to Michigan State, recruiting the 36th best incoming class in the nation (with the help of Darrin Chiaverini). Plus — take this for what it’s worth — Dorrell never missed the postseason in his five years at UCLA.
— , The Denver Post
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What’s on Tap?
- Avalanche: Buffalo Sabres, 6 p.m. Wednesday, NBCSN
- Avalanche: At Carolina Hurricanes, 5 p.m. Friday, ALT
- Nuggets: At Los Angeles Clippers, 8:30 p.m. Friday, ALT, ESPN
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today.
Scoreboard
NBA: Nuggets 115, Pistons 98
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John Elway “cautiously optimistic” Broncos are headed on right path
The next two months will be critical to the Broncos ending their four-year postseason drought. They have nine draft picks and could end up with more than $80 million in salary cap space. Read more…
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+ Newman: Ryan Rolison, future pillar of Rockies’ rotation, makes Cactus League debut
+ Although not official, Broncos expecting to face Atlanta Falcons in London
+ Larry Walker bundle of nerves after touring Hall of Fame
+ Rockies prospect Ryan Vilade looking to impress at spring training
+ Namli and Benezet overcoming small injuries ahead of Rapids debut
+ Creators of original Phillie Phanatic call redesign “an affront”
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