Introduction: The Colorado Buffaloes football program, representing the University of Colorado Boulder, holds a rich history within the Pac-12 Conference South Division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
From its inception in 1890 to the present day, the team has witnessed significant transformations and achievements.
In this comprehensive article, we will present the Colorado Buffaloes Football Coaches List and also take a look at their achievements, records, and seasons.
Early Years and Nickname Evolution
Commencing its football journey without a head coach in the initial four years, Colorado eventually became part of the Colorado Football Association in 1893. Over the years, the team underwent various nicknames, transitioning from Silver and Gold to Silver Helmets, Yellow Jackets, Hornets, Arapahoes, Big Horns, Grizzlies, and Frontiersmen. In 1934, the university officially embraced the moniker “Buffaloes.”
Conference Affiliations
Colorado’s conference affiliations shaped its competitive landscape. From the Colorado Faculty Athletic Conference in 1909 to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in 1910, the team continuously evolved. The 1938 season marked their entry into the Mountain States (Skyline) Conference, followed by joining the Big Seven Conference in 1948, later renamed the Big Eight Conference in 1958. The Buffaloes, as charter members, played a pivotal role in the formation of the Big 12 in 1996.
Seasons and Achievements
Over 120 seasons, the Buffaloes participated in 1,139 games. Nine esteemed coaches, including Bunny Oakes, Bill McCartney, and Rick Neuheisel, guided Colorado to postseason bowl games. Fred Folsom, Myron Witham, and others secured conference championships, contributing to the team’s legacy.
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Coaching Legends and Records:
Bill McCartney, the all-time leader with 153 games coached and 93 total wins, remains an iconic figure. Fred Folsom’s 15-season tenure holds the record for the longest coaching tenure. Harry Heller and Willis Keinholtz share the highest winning percentage for a single season. Notably, McCartney’s 2013 induction into the College Football Hall of Fame and multiple national Coach of the Year honours in 1989 stand out as historic achievements.
Legacy Continuation
The coaching legacy continued with Gary Barnett’s conference coach of the year honours in 2001 and 2004. The arrival of Deion Sanders on December 3, 2022, marked a new chapter, showcasing the ongoing commitment to excellence in Colorado Buffaloes football.
Colorado Buffaloes Football Coaches List
Harry Heller – 1894 | |
Fred Folsom – 1895–1899, 1901–1902, 1908–1915 | |
T. C. Mortimer – 1900 | |
David Cropp – 1903–1904 | |
Willis Keinholtz – 1905 | |
Frank Castleman – 1906–1907 | |
Melbourne “Bob” Evans – 1916–1917 | |
Enoch J. Mills – 1918–1919 | |
Myron E. Witham – 1920–1931 | |
William Saunders – 1932–1934 | |
Bunny Oakes – 1935–1939 | |
Frank Potts – 1940, 1944–1945 | |
James J. Yeager – 1941–1943, 1946–1947 | |
Dallas Ward – 1948–1958 | |
Sonny Grandelius – 1959–1961 | |
William E. Davis – 1962 | |
Eddie Crowder – 1963–1973 | |
Bill Mallory – 1974–1978 | |
Chuck Fairbanks – 1979–1981 | |
Bill McCartney – 1982–1994 | |
Rick Neuheisel – 1995–1998 | |
Gary Barnett – 1999–2005 | |
Dan Hawkins – 2006–2010 | |
Jon Embree – 2011–2012 | |
Mike MacIntyre – 2013–2018 | |
Mel Tucker – 2019 | |
Karl Dorrell – 2020–2022 | |
Deion Sanders – 2023–present | |