Karl Dorrell retains four assistants, including Darrin Chiaverini

The University of Colorado announced Thursday that new head coach Karl Dorrell will retain four assistants on the Buffaloes coaching staff: Darrin Chiaverini, Tyson Summers, Darian Hagan and Brian Michalowski.

Darrin Chiaverini is the assistant most fans were worried about. The wide receivers and assistant head coach was promoted to interim head coach after Mel Tucker left. He was considered one of the front-runners for the job, but Rick George ultimately went with an experienced head coach. Dorrell happened to coach Chiv during his CU playing days and they reportedly have a great relationship. Chiv is one of the very best recruiters in the nation, so keeping him on staff is a must for the 2020 recruiting class.

Tyson Summers will remain at defensive coordinator in 2020. Summers came over with Tucker in 2019, but unlike three other CU assistants, he will not be following Tucker to Michigan State. This means that the Buffs will keep their defense intact, so the players won’t have to learn a brand new defensive scheme all over again. However you feel about Tucker, he was building something of a defensive identity that should live through Summers.

Darian Hagan will remain on staff as he survives his fifth coaching change since he was hired in 2005. Hagan is a Colorado legend on the field and a damn good coach on the sidelines. He’s the main reason the Buffs churn out 1,000-yard rusher after 1,000-yard rusher, from Hugh Charles to Rodney Stewart to Phillip Lindsay. He’s an excellent scout, a superb teacher and a personality everyone loves. Keeping him on staff isn’t even a choice for new head coaches.

Brian Michalowski was recently promoted to outside linebackers coach. The 30-year-old has spent his early coaching days working in quality control at Arizona State Memphis, Georgia and Colorado. He’s a Tucker guy, but remains with Summers on the Colorado defense.

The coaches who have departed since the 2019 season are head coach Mel Tucker, offensive coordinator Jay Johnson, offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic, defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh, and linebackers coach Ross Els. This announcement also means the Buffaloes will not retain tight ends coach Al Pupunu or defensive backs coach Travares Tillman, both of whom were Tucker’s guys.

The Buffaloes full coaching staff, as of now, goes as follows:

Head Coach: Karl Dorrell

Assistant HC/Wide Receivers: Darrin Chiaverini

Offensive Coorindator: ?

Running Backs: Darian Hagan

Tight Ends: ?

Offensive Line: ?

Defensive Coordinator: Tyson Summers

Defensive Line: ?

Inside Linebackers: ?

Outside Linebackers: Brian Michalowski

Defensive Backs: ?