The Longmont Times-Call - Coach puts retirement on hold once again for CU
Patrick Ridgell has an article on new outside linebackers coach, Bob Foster, who came out of retirement to join former understudy, Dan Hawkins. Foster talks about why he came back:
"But coach Hawkins is the biggest reason I decided to try to help him. He means so much to our profession ... He means so much more than the typical winning and losing deal. He means so much for what the kids can gain at the university with him and for their futures. That’s the main reason I’m going to try to help him in any way I can."
Hopefully, we can win and do a lot for the University in the same year. Asked what Hawkins needs him to do, Foster said:
"I can’t really say. I’m sure that’ll come. "I’m reading the playbook. They have a great staff. I’m just trying to add whatever I can and do whatever I can to help."
Coaches Hot Seat Blog " Dan Hawkins and Colorado in 2009
Usually a pretty enjoyable site, coacheshotseat.com, has published a snippet on the status of Dan Hawkins at Colorado. Here is what they said:
Even though Dan Hawkins is only 13 - 24 (.351) in 3 years at Colorado, there has been a steady, all be it a very small improvement in the CU football program under Hawkins and it is now time for the Buffs to take a much bigger step forward. Watching Colorado play football over the past 3 seasons has been like playing a piano that is out of tune, because the Buffs play has been both inconsistent and at least to us, out of step with the style of play of other teams in the Big 12 Conference (that Colorado plays a style of football that is more West coast that Big 12, is the reason we have recommended that CU move to the Pac-10 or Mountain West conference).
I don't think the Buffs' offense would fit in any conference based on past year's performance, so I don't know where they get the Mountain West and PAC-10 thought process.
Yes, Colorado under Hawkins has been fairly competitive in the Big 12 conference, but we do not believe that the Buffs play a physical enough of a style of football, especially on offense to really challenge the top teams in the Big 12. With Nebraska now on the rise in the Big 12 North under Bo Pelini, it will be very important for Hawkins to make sure that his Colorado football team goes into Big 12 games with the idea that they are not going to be pushed around, especially at the line of scrimmage. Until Colorado is able to line-up and run the ball, either through their unique version of the spread that they have used the last 3 years or from more conventional formations/plays, they will not be able to play with the top teams in the conference on a consistent basis, and that is something that Hawkins must do if he hopes to stay employed in Boulder.
Just win this year and all of this talk will go away.
June Plati-'Tudes - CUBuffs.com
Summertime ‘Tudes features a Q&A with Larry Zimmer and the usual hodgepodge of CU Buffalo Bits.
Buffzone chat with Kyle Ringo
Kyle Ringo answers a lot of interesting questions from Buff fans. We are also open to answering any questions you may have so don't be afraid to shoot us an email at theralphiereport@gmail.com.
Nos. 91-100 - AthlonSports.com
Athlon Sports is counting down the top 120 teams. The Buffs second week opponent, Toldeo, comes in at 100 in their most recent release. Here is what they have to say:
100: Toledo — Tim Beckman came into his first head coaching job preaching change, and the Rockets’ faithful are excited to hear that mantra. The key to a quick turnaround will be improvement on a defense that allowed more than 30 points per game and consistent play from Opelt to complement what should be a solid rushing attack. Beckman should have the Rockets relevant in the MAC in the near future, but the 2009 season could be a struggle.
I think Toledo will be better than this ranking. They return a very experienced offensive line but of course with a new coach, it could be a struggle this year. Tough thing for Colorado is it will be an away game and they will be dealing with the unknown.
New coach Beckman helps infuse renewed energy in Toledo's football program - cleveland.com
Speaking of the new Toledo coach, Cleveland.com has a piece on the new "messenger" in town.
In scheduling, as in football itself, everything old is new again - ESPN
Ivan Maisel of ESPN.com talks about the "art" of college football scheduling and the new market place that is growing for lesser conference schools:
To them, "right nonconference opponent" is a euphemism for "wealth waiting to be fleeced." When the NCAA Division I adopted a 12-game schedule beginning with the 2006 season, the demand for Football Bowl Subdivision opponents increased. The schools in the smaller conferences -- your Sun Belts and WACs -- have used that demand to ratchet up the price for their services toward seven figures.
For Missouri skeptics, 'green' is not the real concern - Dr. Saturday
With Missouri starting their 2009 Big 12 slate with Nebraska, Oklahoma State and Texas is there a strong chance that they will begin the conference season 0-3?