By Jordan Long
The University of Colorado has been interviewing for their Head Coaching vacancy. The job has been open since Mel Tucker bolted for Michigan State on February 11th, 2020. The candidates include the University of Alabama Offensive Coordinator Steve Sarkisian, Outside Linebackers Coach and Senior Assistant for the New York Giants Bret Bielema, and Air Force Head Coach Troy Calhoun.
Sarkisian is a reasonable choice. He has been a head coach in the game before with the University of Washington and the University of Southern California (USC). Sarkisian spent 5 years in Washington from 2009 to 2013 and 2 years at USC, 2014 and 2015. In his time with the University of Washington, he was 34-29. The Huskies ended up in 3 bowl games with him and their record in those games was 1-2.
In 2014, Sarkisian left to become the USC Head Coach. His tenure didn’t last. He was let go 5 games into the 2015 season because of a drinking problem. USC was 12-6 under Sarkisian. He has been in Alabama for one year.
Bielema brings 12 years of college head football coaching experience to Boulder, Colorado. Bielema was with the University of Wisconsin from 2006 to 2012. In 7 years there, Bielema was an outstanding 68-24 with 6 bowl appearances. Wisconsin went 2-4 in those games but he coached them to 2 Rose Bowls. He moved on to the University of Arkansas for 5 years, 2013 to 2017. Unfortunately, the success at Wisconsin didn’t follow him to Arkansas with a disappointing record of 29-34. Arkansas fired Bielema after the 2017 season when they went 4-8.
The name that could excite the University of Colorado Buffaloes fans is Calhoun. He is currently the Head Coach at Air Force. In 13 years with the Falcons, he is an impressive 98-69, a winning percentage of .587. Air Force reached 10 bowl games with Calhoun and his record in bowl games is .500.
Calhoun makes the most sense. He is one of the most successful coaches the Buffaloes are looking at. If Calhoun is hired, he must change the way he runs his offense. Air Force uses the option which is more focused on running the football. He needs to open up the playbook and become a more of a passing offense. He has knowledge of this with the Houston Texans when he was the offensive coordinator there in 2006.
Colorado will do what they feel is best for the football program. Whoever they hire must produce on the football field. Colorado’s last winning season was 2016 when they were 10-4 earning a bowl game that year, the Alamo Bowl. Colorado hopes to be back as a winning program.
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