Colorado Football: With Hawk Grounded, Could Chucky Be Buffaloes' Next Coach?

Once again, Colorado is in the market for a new head coach. Since Bill McCartney left Colorado in 1994, the program has had trouble finding a suitable replacement for him. There was Rick Neuheisel, Gary Barnett and Dan Hawkins.

All left their mark on the university, with mixed results.

When Hawkins was hired, there was optimism that Colorado finally had a coach that could return us to dominance, after the embarrassment that was Gary Barnett. For whatever reason, Dan Hawkins could not bring back the glory to the Buffaloes.

Hawkins leaves the Buffs with a miserable 19-39 record on the field. What coaches could be the ointment the Buffaloes need to return to contending for conference titles?

Bill McCartney

Coached the Buffs to a national championship back in 1990 and set up CU as a national contender. Would Bill be a good fit? The boosters love him, he would be able to recruit, as before, but has the game passed him by?

Who knows. Bill has publicly said that he wants to coach the Buffs.

Jon Gruden

Jon has a Super Bowl ring to show any recruits. He has a sort of Jekyll and Hyde personality, and is not really known as a players' coach. He's probably going to ask for more than the Buffs can pay, and there's bound to be NFL head coaching positions that he could take. Think, Dallas Cowboys.

Les Miles

His name has been rumored, but it's unlikely he would leave LSU, where he's won a national championship, to rebuild the Buffs. Chances are slim, but he was a coach for the Buffs in 1982 when he followed Bill McCartney to Colorado. He would be a head coach with massive recruiting appeal nationwide.  

Dave Logan

He was a great player for the Buffs in his day, but really has no head coaching experience in college football. I doubt that they would hire him with his lack of experience. He's a great guy, with a great passion for the game. The chances of him getting the job are very slim.

Eric Bieniemy

Played for the Buffs on the national championship team and coached the running backs for Colorado in 2001 and '02, and for UCLA from 2003-05. Eric is currently the running backs coach with the Minnesota Vikings. With McCartney, he's an early favorite to get the position.

Troy Calhoun

He's been winning with Air Force. Yes, Air Force. Would CU raid another Colorado school for a head coach? Who knows. I do not think that this would be the best way to go with the Buffs. They need someone that is able to recruit big-time players in big-time markets.

Can Troy do this? Maybe.

Kevin Sumlin

Coach of the Houston Cougars, and my personal prefence for the Bufs. He's been a wonderful coach for that school. Who, other than alumni, had ever heard of Houston?

Not anymore. He's compiled a 23-13 record as the head coach. This makes sense for the Buffs in many ways. He would come at a price they are willing to pay, and he's proven that he can recruit players that can win.

In a little while all this speculation will be put to rest.

Who would be your perfect candidate to lead the Buffaloes back to dominance?