CU Buffs coach Dan Hawkins relieved of duty

Coach Dan Hawkins speaks at a press conference after the 2010 Rocky Mountain Showdown at Invesco Field at Mile High Saturday, Sept. 4. This Saturday will be the Blackout game against Georgia. Kickoff is a 5 p.m. (CU Independent/Lauren Walter)

CU officials announced Tuesday morning that Dan Hawkins is being relieved of his duties, effective immediately.

The announcement represents the first time in Colorado’s 121-year football history that a head coach will be relieved of duties during the season. The Buffs are 3-6, with an 0-5 record in the Big 12 Conference, with three games remaining. It is still possible for CU to become bowl eligible, however, if they can manage to win their remaining games. The Buffs have three more games left in the regular season: a home game Saturday against Iowa State, an away game versus Kansas State, and then a final game against Nebraska the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Athletic Director Mike Bohn said in a news release that the decision was due to negativity and divisiveness.

“We collectively believed that it was important to provide the opportunity for Dan as head coach and his current staff to pull things together, and things looked bright just one month ago after we opened with a 3-1 record,” Bohn said. “However, things have gone downhill from there. While we recognize the progress that we have made in several areas during nearly five years under Dan, the negativity and divisiveness that is associated with the current leadership has become detrimental and is beyond repair to our current enterprise and it’s time to make a change.”

A search committee will be in place by the end of the week, if not sooner, to commence the search to name a replacement, Bohn said. Various media outlets have already begun speculating on possible replacements with many speculators naming former CU coach Bill McCartney and interim coach Brian Cabral as possibilities.

Chancellor Philip DiStefano said that the decision to relieve Hawkins was the right choice for the players, alumni, donors and fans.

“I fully support Mike Bohn’s decision to relieve Dan Hawkins of his duties immediately and appoint Brian Cabral interim head coach of the Buffs,” DiStefano said. “I believe this is the right decision first and foremost for our players, who have worked hard and endured much this season, but also for our alumni, donors and fans, who have stood by the team over the last five years. Our focus should now be on supporting Coach Cabral and the team, finishing this season as strongly as we can, and setting our sights on obtaining a new head coach as we head into our inaugural season in the Pac-12 Conference.”

Dan Hawkins had nothing but positivity to share as he left.

“I’ve met some tremendously special people and had some fantastic experiences during my time here at Colorado,” Hawkins said. “Unfortunately, I was not able to bring the wins that so many Buff faithful wish for and deserve. My biggest pain comes from not being able to see the joy and happiness on our players faces on more occasions following a victory. CU has a great group of young men running out behind Ralphie every Saturday, those guys have worked very hard in the classroom, off the field and on the field and have earned the right to win. I want the Buffs to experience that special feeling.”

Hawkins also said thanks to all of those who have supported the program.

“I’d like to thank all the great people who surround and support the program, and especially those people on our staff who touch the players on a day-to-day basis; they are special,” Hawkins said. “Please come out and support the University of Colorado football program and the players in the last two home games, as well as on the road in Lincoln, they need and deserve your encouragement. In the future I wish nothing but the best for CU as it moves in to the Pac-12, I hope everyone concerned with the program will pitch in and support the program on the path to another national championship.”

Hawkins son, Cody Hawkins who was replaced as starting quarterback this season said that he will continue to give the Buffs his all, even without his dad as coach.

“I came to a great place,” Cody Hawkins said. “I played for a great coach with a great staff, with a great environment, great program. I’ve got the greatest dad in the world. I thought he handled everything very, very well. He was always a man of integrity, regardless of what was happening on the field.”

Interim Coach Cabral said that his job will be to fill the gap.

“My role is to calm the storm,” Cabral said.

Contact CU Independent Breaking News Editor Ellie Bean at [email protected].