Stature and coaches, 1936–2026
The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.
Run↔pass identity, by season
Every coach
Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.
15th-best Colorado tenure of 15 by the numbers.
Followed Mike Sanford Jr. (2022).
| Season | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||
| Record | 4-8 | 9-4 | 3-9 | 3-5 | |
| Postseason | — | L bowl | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #29 | #81 | #37 | #67 | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||
| Pass rate | 57.0 | 59.1 | 45.6 | 47.9 | |
| Coordinators | |||||
| OC | Sean Lewis / Pat Shurmur | Pat Shurmur | Pat Shurmur | Brennan Marion | |
| DC | Charles Kelly | Robert Livingston | Robert Livingston | Chris Marve | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||
| Offense | 32 | 74 | 11 | 35 | |
| Defense | 17 | 91 | 36 | 60 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||
| 1st-down pass% | 60.7 | 57.9 | 39.8 | 48.4 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 64.2 | 57.9 | 38.8 | 32.1 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 28.9 | 42.4 | 36.8 | 30.0 | |
Underperforms his recruiting talent on offense and performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on defense.
A portal-built roster.
Typical size for position, once adjusted for position mix.
A typical class-year mix of incoming transfers.
4 NFL Draft picks: Travis Hunter (2025), Shedeur Sanders (2025), LaJohntay Wester (2025), Jimmy Horn Jr. (2025)
2 player-seasons honored (All-America / national award): Travis Hunter (2023), Travis Hunter (2024)
AI Narratives — “Colorado — stat check” and 4 more on the team page.
14th-best Colorado tenure of 15 by the numbers.
Followed Mel Tucker (2019) · succeeded by Mike Sanford Jr. (2022).
| Season | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||
| Record | 4-2 | 4-8 | 0-5 | |
| Postseason | L bowl | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #36 | #65 | #47 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||
| Pass rate | 39.2 | 38.0 | 48.2 | |
| Coordinators | ||||
| OC | Darrin Chiaverini | Darrin Chiaverini | Clay Patterson / Mike Sanford | |
| DC | Tyson Summers | Chris Wilson | Chris Wilson | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||
| Offense | 25 | 10 | 5 | |
| Defense | 67 | 31 | 2 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||
| 1st-down pass% | 25.5 | 28.8 | 44.6 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 15.5 | 31.2 | 29.1 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 23.8 | 29.4 | 37.9 | |
Underperforms his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.
Barely touches the portal — recruits and develops his own.
Brings in bigger-than-position-typical players than most.
Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.
1 NFL Draft pick: William Sherman (2021)
13th-best Colorado tenure of 15 by the numbers.
Followed Jon Embree (2011–2012) · succeeded by Mel Tucker (2019).
| Season | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||||
| Record | 4-8 | 2-10 | 4-9 | 10-4 | 5-7 | 5-6 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | L bowl | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #68 | #74 | #69 | #69 | #35 | #53 | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||||
| Pass rate | 49.4 | 54.7 | 46.2 | 42.5 | 45.1 | 48.1 | |
| Coordinators | |||||||
| OC | — | Brian Lindgren | Brian Lindgren | Brian Lindgren / Darrin Chiaverini | Brian Lindgren / Darrin Chiaverini | Darrin Chiaverini / Klayton Adams | |
| DC | — | Kent Baer | Jim Leavitt | Jim Leavitt | D. J. Eliot | D. J. Eliot | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||||
| Offense | 6 | 39 | 25 | 17 | 37 | 9 | |
| Defense | 35 | 18 | 47 | 85 | 26 | 53 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||||
| 1st-down pass% | 46.3 | 46.8 | 39.7 | 37.2 | 44.4 | 44.3 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 34.7 | 41.8 | 37.0 | 28.2 | 38.9 | 36.1 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 13.2 | 40.4 | 28.6 | 30.8 | 41.7 | 33.3 | |
Underperforms his recruiting talent on offense and performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on defense.
7 NFL Draft picks: Paul Richardson (2014), Chidobe Awuzie (2017), Ahkello Witherspoon (2017), Tedric Thompson (2017), Jordan Carrell (2017), Isaiah Oliver (2018), Juwann Winfree (2019)
9th-best Colorado tenure of 15 by the numbers.
Followed Gary Barnett (1999–2005) · succeeded by Jon Embree (2011–2012).
| Season | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||
| Record | 2-10 | 6-7 | 5-7 | 3-9 | 3-6 | |
| Postseason | — | L bowl | — | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #47 | #27 | #15 | #49 | #57 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||
| Pass rate | 35.5 | 49.5 | 47.9 | 55.5 | 46.9 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||
| Offense | 57 | 59 | 25 | 19 | 51 | |
| Defense | 39 | 50 | 31 | 79 | 13 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||
| 1st-down pass% | 35.2 | 40.5 | 45.7 | 44.9 | 37.7 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 46.7 | 48.2 | 50.6 | 39.8 | 36.5 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 27.8 | 39.0 | 35.0 | 32.4 | 20.0 | |
9 NFL Draft picks: Mason Crosby (2007), Abraham Wright (2007), Jordon Dizon (2008), Terrence Wheatley (2008), Brad Jones (2009), Nate Solder (2011), Jimmy Smith (2011), Jalil Brown (2011) + 1 more
3rd-best Colorado tenure of 15 by the numbers.
Followed Rick Neuheisel (1995–1998) · succeeded by Dan Hawkins (2006–2010).
| Season | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||
| Record | 7-5 | 3-8 | 10-3 | 9-5 | 5-7 | 8-5 | 7-5 | |
| Postseason | W bowl | — | L bowl | L bowl | — | W bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | #47 | #40 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | 48.9 | 51.4 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | 28 | 3 | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | 67 | 43 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | 34.4 | 44.0 | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | 37.1 | 36.6 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | 18.2 | 13.5 | |
21 NFL Draft picks: Ben Kelly (2000), Damen Wheeler (2000), Brad Bedell (2000), Rashidi Barnes (2000), Daniel Graham (2002), Andre Gurode (2002), Michael Lewis (2002), Justin Bannan (2002) + 13 more
1st-best Colorado tenure of 15 by the numbers.
Followed Bill McCartney (1982–1994) · succeeded by Gary Barnett (1999–2005).
| Season | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||
| Record | 10-2 | 10-2 | 5-6 | 8-4 | |
| Postseason | W bowl | W bowl | — | W bowl | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | |
15 NFL Draft picks: Chris Naeole (1997), Rae Carruth (1997), Greg Jones (1997), Matt Russell (1997), Steve Rosga (1997), Koy Detmer (1997), Ryan Sutter (1998), Ron Merkerson (1998) + 7 more
2nd-best Colorado tenure of 15 by the numbers.
Followed Chuck Fairbanks (1979–1981) · succeeded by Rick Neuheisel (1995–1998).
| Season | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||||||||
| Record | 2-8-1 | 4-7 | 1-10 | 7-5 | 6-6 | 7-4 | 8-4 | 11-1 | 11-1-1 | 8-3-1 | 9-2-1 | 8-3-1 | 11-1 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | L bowl | L bowl | — | L bowl | L bowl | W bowl | L bowl | L bowl | W bowl | W bowl | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
35 NFL Draft picks: Victor Scott (1984), Dan McMillen (1986), Ron Brown (1986), Jon Embree (1987), Jeff Campbell (1990), Mike Pritchard (1991), Alfred Williams (1991), Eric Bieniemy (1991) + 27 more
8th-best Colorado tenure of 15 by the numbers.
Followed Bill Mallory (1974–1978) · succeeded by Bill McCartney (1982–1994).
10 NFL Draft picks: Mark Haynes (1980), Stan Brock (1980), Bill Roe (1980), Jesse Johnson (1980), Laval Short (1980), Mike Davis (1980), George Visger (1980), Steve Doolittle (1981) + 2 more
4th-best Colorado tenure of 15 by the numbers.
Followed Eddie Crowder (1963–1973) · succeeded by Chuck Fairbanks (1979–1981).
| Season | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||
| Record | 5-6 | 9-3 | 8-4 | 7-3-1 | 6-5 | |
| Postseason | — | L bowl | L bowl | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | |
24 NFL Draft picks: Rod Perry (1975), Harvey Goodman (1975), Doug Payton (1975), Wayne Mattingly (1975), Pete Brock (1976), Troy Archer (1976), Mark Koncar (1976), Steve Young (1976) + 16 more
6th-best Colorado tenure of 15 by the numbers.
Followed Bud Davis (1962) · succeeded by Bill Mallory (1974–1978).
| Season | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||||||
| Record | 2-8 | 2-8 | 6-2-2 | 7-3 | 9-2 | 4-6 | 8-3 | 6-5 | 10-2 | 8-4 | 5-6 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | L bowl | W bowl | L bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
11th-best Colorado tenure of 15 by the numbers.
Followed Dallas Ward (1948–1958) · succeeded by Bud Davis (1962).
10th-best Colorado tenure of 15 by the numbers.
Followed Jim Yeager (1946–1947) · succeeded by Everett Grandelius (1959–1961).
12th-best Colorado tenure of 15 by the numbers.
Followed Frank Potts (1940) · succeeded by Frank Potts (1944–1945) · returned in 1946 · succeeded by Dallas Ward (1948–1958).
7th-best Colorado tenure of 15 by the numbers.
Followed Bunny Oakes (1936–1939) · succeeded by Jim Yeager (1941–1943) · returned in 1944 · succeeded by Jim Yeager (1946–1947).
5th-best Colorado tenure of 15 by the numbers.
Succeeded by Frank Potts (1940).