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Initial Reaction to the Report of Dan Hawkins Being Retained As Colorado's Head Coach - The Ralphie Report

Today, the University of Colorado had a chance to send a message that it isn't acceptable to go 2 - 18 on the road. It isn't acceptable to lose to Toledo and Colorado State. It isn't acceptable winning less games in year four than in year two or year three with a much easier schedule. The University had a chance to say we want to be successful in athletics and winning only 33% of your games is not successful just like doing your job 33% of the time for every other profession isn't acceptable. Let's get this straight, Dan Hawkins' job is to win ball games. It is every coach's job to run a clean program as well, it isn't only relegated to Colorado. But like it or not, you can say the coaching profession is full of slimy individuals but winning is the goal. But the University said, poor us. We are too poor, we don't have the facilities, we had the scandal. Translation: winning isn't the priority. Bottom line, it isn't the priority.

Woelk: Give Hawkins a fifth year - Boulder Daily Camera

Neill Woelk's article is great in theory but all of his ideas for improving the program should be done with or without Hawkins
Here is his plan: Keep Dan Hawkins for a fifth year with the following criteria:
1) Lower admission standards for athletes - "to widen the scope of their recruiting, and it will increase the number of CU students who come from varied and diverse backgrounds." Great idea, should be done regardless of Hawkins being in charge
2) University needs to provide financial assurance when ticket sales go down. Should be done regardless of Hawkins being in charge.
3) Tell Dan Hawkins his job is now based on win. Should be regardless of Hawkins being in charge.
4) Staff overhaul - something I can agree with but have zero confidence that Mike Bohn or Dan Hawkins is capable of doing a successful overhaul. Have they shown us any reason they have hired a good coach since coming to Boulder? Brian Cabral is the only holdover from ages ago that is still a good coach. Also, what coach is going to want to come to Boulder to work for a coach that is going to be on the hot seat? In all likely hood, we will be discussing this same exact thing next year.
5) Tell Hawkins he can make any pitches for a contract extension? Why was this even in the article.
6) Expect results. Again, why wasn't it expected in 2008 when we gave Dan Hawkins an extension?

Report: Hawkins to return in 2010 - The Longmont Times-Call
A few important things in this article:

-Asked to confirm the report, CU sports information director Dave Plati said KOA, "jumped the gun."
-University spokesman Bronson Hilliard said the decision to retain Hawkins is up to Bohn. Bohn is expected to "vet" it with CU-Boulder chancellor Phil DiStefano, but Hilliard stressed it’s Bohn's decision.
-On his radio show Wednesday night, Hawkins evaded a question about the report, saying only, "we are excited about playing Nebraska."
-Hawkins contract ends in January 2013, giving him three more seasons beyond 2009.
-Quarterback Tyler Hansen and running back Rodney Stewart said this month they plan to stay at CU and will not transfer.
-According to Rivals.com, no recruits are making official visits this weekend. (better word would have been to say that all official visits have been CANCELED)

Report: CU coach Hawkins to be retained for a fifth season - The Denver Post

But during the show, he entertained callers who were happy he would return. One caller congratulated him, and Hawkins said, "I don't know about that, but that's the rumor," then started to laugh.

Report: CU will keep football coach Dan Hawkins - Boulder Daily Camera

Nebraska riding its defense to revival - The Denver Post

The rebuilt defense is why Nebraska won only its second division crown in 10 years. The rebuilding offense is why it won't remind you of the Nebraska that won three national titles in the 1990s. But in the long overhaul Pelini inherited when Bill Callahan left the program with its worst record in 46 years, Nebraska is on pace. "Well, it's close," Pelini said this week. "I just know we have a long ways to go. The only thing that I say is we haven't played our best football yet. This team has not reached its potential."

Hate the Buffs? That's natural with rivalries, expert says

Today, if you ask which team Husker fans despise, the answer usually is Colorado, not Oklahoma.

Green Bay Packers rookie Brad Jones confident in NFL future | Green Bay Press-Gazette
Former Buff linebacker Brad Jones is making noise in the NFL:

And when Jones speaks about his lofty goals for his NFL career, it’s easy to believe he has a shot at accomplishing them, because he exudes a certain calm confidence not seen in every seventh-round draft pick. "Obviously, I think I can play," Jones said. "I think everybody at this level — I feel like if you’re not confident with what you’re doing, you’re going to make mistakes. I feel like if you got here, you should be confident that you can be out there and make plays and play football." Jones showed he could do that on Nov. 15, when he made his first NFL start in place of an injured Aaron Kampman and recorded eight tackles in a crucial, defense-driven victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

Hawkins will lead CU against Nebraska, and into 2010 | INDenverTimes

Omaha.com - The Omaha World-Herald: Big Red Today - Desperate Buffs set for Huskers

Starting duo to return for Colorado game Two Nebraska starters who missed most or all of last weekend's game against Kansas State should be back Friday, Pelini said. Sophomore right tackle Marcel Jones injured his right ankle on the third offensive play of the game and never returned. But Pelini said Jones did "look pretty good" during Wednesday's practice. Sophomore cornerback Alfonzo Dennard also missed Saturday's game after suffering a toe injury during practice last week. Dennard also has been battling a sore shoulder, but he should play against Colorado, Pelini said.

Seven Buffs likely in line for Heart Award - Boulder Daily Camera
Defensive player has won award last 3 years

Smith looks to extend TD string - The Denver Post
The CU cornerback has scored in last two games against the Huskers

It’s been a long, dark trip for CU seniors - The Longmont Times-Call

Surge in second half lifts Buffs to victory - The Denver Post

Marcus Relphorde and Alec Burks each scored 13 points and Colorado used a late 13-2 run to fend off pesky Chaminade in taking seventh place at the Maui Invitational with a 73-58 victory Wednesday.

CU wins despite off game for Higgins - Boulder Daily Camera

Cory Higgins only scored six points. And the Buffs won. Even though Colorado was playing a Division II opponent, that's a good sign for this young team. "It shows we have a bench, we have depth and somebody different can step up and score every night," CU associate head coach Steve McClain said after the Buffs' 73-58 victory over host Chaminade in the seventh-place game of the EA Sports Maui Invitational. "It doesn't have to be on Cory's shoulder every night. He didn't care. All he wanted to do was win. I think it was a positive."