The Buffs should pursue Mike Shanahan as their head coach
Feb 13, 2020, 6:56 AM
The University of Colorado needs to find a head coach that is a big enough name to recruit and bring some continuity to Boulder. It’s time for Rick George to target Mike Shanahan.
Back in 2001-02, the Broncos head coach was considered a top candidate to become the head football coach at the University of Florida. There were reports that it was Mike’s job to lose.
A source has told me that Broncos owner Pat Bowen talked Shanahan into staying in Denver. The Mastermind would end up staying with the Broncos until 2009, which would include an AFC Championship Game appearance.
Mike Shanahan is also a guy who refuses to walk away from the game of football. Even though he’s not calling plays or coaching, he still remains involved in the NFL. With his son Kyle coaching the 49ers, Mike has helped with watching film and even doing a little game planning.
Our very own Mark Schlereth and Tyler Polumbus have mentioned that their former head coach watches film all day every day as a hobby. It’s safe to say that Shanahan is definitely not outdated.
Another reason why Shanahan would be a great fit is because he will have the ability to recruit the young players from within the state of Colorado. Let’s think for a second here, would Christian McCaffrey have left for Stanford if he knew Mike Shanahan was the head coach of the Buffaloes? Honestly, I think the future first-round pick would’ve stayed within the state of Colorado.
Head coaches in college football are more like general managers than coaches. Shanahan held both of those positions when he was winning Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos.
Shanahan also wouldn’t break the bank, either. The University of Colorado could offer him between $2 to $3million and I think he would take the job.
Shanahan has shown interest to getting back into coaching at the NFL level, but it hasn’t worked out. He has also shown interest in coaching at the college level from back in the day.
The Buffaloes could also use an offensive genius to compete with in the Pac-12. Trust me, he’s updated on the offensive side of the ball.
Not many coaches will get the University of Colorado excited, but if you can bring in a guy who has multiple Super Bowl rings, that will turn heads.
It’s a bit of a long shot. But heym it was also a long shot that Mel Tucker wouldn’t leave, either.