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What are your ideas to improve recruiting?

Buffnik

Real name isn't Nik
Club Member
Junta Member
I'm on board with improving the team every year so that you're constantly, incrementally positioning yourself to be better every year.

At the same time, I'm impatient.

2016 class should be seeing shiny new facilities. 2017 class should be seeing a completed IPF on top of that.

Those things will certainly help.

The other big thing that will help is if we see the incremental improvements in the team turn into more wins than losses during the 2015 season.

But beyond that, what needs to be done?

Should there be a shift to recruiting footprint?

Should staff changes be made?

Personally, I think the biggest thing is that MacIntyre needs to find a couple ace recruiters the same way that McCartney brought in Les Miles and Gerry DiNardo in 1982.

Put together a couple recruiting aces with new facilities and on-field improvement... and this thing could take off very fast. This doesn't have to be a multi-year rebuild to mediocrity and then multiple years of mediocrity before breaking through. The opportunity is there to turn this quick with the foundation that's currently in place.
 
I'll throw a name out there for consideration on the "ace recruiter" front:

Oscar Giles. After the coaching change at UT, Giles ended up at LA Tech and is having one of the best years of any non-P5 recruiter. He's a DL coach, so it would be a replacement for Jeffcoat. But he does specialize in DEs, so the two could theoretically coach together with an arrangement like we have this year with LaRussa moving to LBs or CBs.

Before UT, Giles coached at Houston and SMU (plus GA at UT) after he'd played in the pros for several years (NFL & CFL). He was born in Texas. Obviously, his recruiting territory would be Texas.

http://www.latechsports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/oscar_giles_887037.html
 
Here's a Special Teams Coordinator to watch:

Old Dominion's Michael Zyskowski.

Ranked #181 in the nation for recruiting gets among all assistants by 247sports this year. Pretty heady company for a C-USA program that just moved up from 1-AA. He's ODU's Recruiting Coordinator, Special Teams Coordinator and Running Backs Coach... at a salary of $85,000. Recruiting grounds are east coast, mostly, but he also does the midwest with Oklahoma responsibilities. More importantly, he handles the midwest JUCOs in Iowa, Kansas and Oklahoma. 34 years old.

http://www.odusports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31100&ATCLID=208409175
 
Familiar name already, but would throw Tony White at San Diego State into the mix. San Diego State basically blankets southern California, but he also has recruited well in greater Los Angeles and the Inland Empire. I think we could use help in both areas.

Another name I will throw out there is Kasey Dunn at Oklahoma State. He is the wide receivers coach there now, spent several years in the Pac-12 in the past. He could be the RB/ST coordinator we are looking for and he recruits the Dallas area.
 
Another guy that has to be considered is David Gibbs.

After losing his job with the Houston Texans when Kubiak was on his way out, he spent a year at the UFL (United Football League that tried to make a run at the NFL and folded) as a DB Coach. For the last 2 years, he's been Defensive Coordinator for the Houston Cougars and recruiting the Dallas metroplex primarily. Besides that stuff and other NFL experience, he was Auburn's DC in 2005 and is a CU alum. If there's any thought of replacing Baer, I don't think we'd do much better than Gibbs. He's currently got Houston ranked #19 in the nation in total defense.

In terms of recruiting, he's not an ace. But you don't need your OC and DC to be aces, just perform in their jobs. Also, in case anyone hasn't noticed, I strongly believe that CU has to get stronger at recruiting Texas.

http://www.uhcougars.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/david_gibbs_836471.html
 
I agree 100% Nik, there are so many D1 players in this state that even after the instate schools pluck the blue chips they want, there are so many more still available it blows the mind. Hell OU could not even field a team without TX HS talent, and the argument we don't play here so we are at a disadvantage is BULL. We didn't play in TX when we won the MNC either, Missouri is still killing it here and they are an SEC team.
How many Texans vacation in CO ? it might be the number 1 vacation spot for Texans, I am constantly told after 20 yrs here "how could you have left ?" If they had an ace here, they would score, and score big.
 
Would be ecstatic to add a few more ace recruiters. I think chances Mac replaces anyone are less than 25%. What do you all think?
 
We need to figure out this Texas conundrum. I think CU has to figure out how to market itself. And I don't know how they do that. But we need to develop into a "destination" program where all the "cool" kids go. How the hell we get there, I don't know. Lets hire a marketing firm.

Saying all that, I don't think there is a magic formula. Just hard, hard work and a little good fortune. I think Mac and his staff just have to beat the bushes, uncover hidden talent and get their names known in California and Texas. We also have to be a "national" program, keeping our eyes and ears open.
 
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Would like to see Hagan added as a coach to recruit so cal
also would seriously look at giving Lupoi a second chance.
But bringing tony Alford back to Colorado would be my number 1 wish. Running game coord. Lots of money. Whatever it takes.
 
Agree that we have to have somebody who can be effective in Texas, Jeffcoat was supposed to be that guy but hasn't done the job so far.

We are at a disadvantage since most of the PAC schools are much closer to home for the Cali kids though Cali should still be our main supplier of talent.

That in mind though we should have a huge advantage over the rest of the PAC in Texas. We are a one day drive from most of Texas so kids can drive home or parents can drive up to see them play without paying for airfares.

Colorado is also as mentioned earlier the favorite vacation spot for Texans and culturally Texans seem to be able to very comfortable in Colorado, even Boulder.

For kids who don't want to go B12 or B1G Colorado offers a chance to play west coast football and still be in a comfortable place. The number of successful former Texans we can show them who went through the program is another big advantage.

So, we need to hire a better recruiter for Texas. We also have to simply start to win some games. Not saying we have to win the conference or even go to a bowl but we have to be able to show progress. We have to win 4-5 games next season minimum and more would be better, we also have to beat at least a couple PAC teams to show that we are getting better and that we can win games in the conference to recruits.
 
Agree that we have to have somebody who can be effective in Texas, Jeffcoat was supposed to be that guy but hasn't done the job so far.

We are at a disadvantage since most of the PAC schools are much closer to home for the Cali kids though Cali should still be our main supplier of talent.

That in mind though we should have a huge advantage over the rest of the PAC in Texas. We are a one day drive from most of Texas so kids can drive home or parents can drive up to see them play without paying for airfares.

Colorado is also as mentioned earlier the favorite vacation spot for Texans and culturally Texans seem to be able to very comfortable in Colorado, even Boulder.

For kids who don't want to go B12 or B1G Colorado offers a chance to play west coast football and still be in a comfortable place. The number of successful former Texans we can show them who went through the program is another big advantage.

So, we need to hire a better recruiter for Texas. We also have to simply start to win some games. Not saying we have to win the conference or even go to a bowl but we have to be able to show progress. We have to win 4-5 games next season minimum and more would be better, we also have to beat at least a couple PAC teams to show that we are getting better and that we can win games in the conference to recruits.
How does Arizona do recruiting Texas? Bad. They have 2 Texas kids. They recruit primarily California and Arizona with a smattering of kids from around the country. That is probably similar to what CU will have to do. Being in the Pac has made recruiting Texas much tougher. We are virtually the same distance to Dallas as Tucson is. I'm kind of coming to the realization that any significant recruiting in Texas will just not happen. Not unless the Pac 16 includes Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Okie St. or something.
 
How does Arizona do recruiting Texas? Bad. They have 2 Texas kids. They recruit primarily California and Arizona with a smattering of kids from around the country. That is probably similar to what CU will have to do. Being in the Pac has made recruiting Texas much tougher. We are virtually the same distance to Dallas as Tucson is. I'm kind of coming to the realization that any significant recruiting in Texas will just not happen. Not unless the Pac 16 includes Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Okie St. or something.

See what you are saying but don't agree.

To start with a number of B1G teams have significant recruiting presence in Texas, you can get kids to leave the state.

The Arizona schools are a different situation than us. To start with they have never had a historic presence in Texas for recruiting, we have. Arizona is also not a favored destination for Texas vacationers and young people looking to get out.

They also haven't seen the need to work Texas hard because they are so close to southern California.

I'm not saying that we should have 25 Texas kids on the roster or more but we should be able to pull an average of at least 4-6 quality kids a year from Texas and we aren't doing that now.
 
How does Arizona do recruiting Texas? Bad. They have 2 Texas kids. They recruit primarily California and Arizona with a smattering of kids from around the country. That is probably similar to what CU will have to do. Being in the Pac has made recruiting Texas much tougher. We are virtually the same distance to Dallas as Tucson is. I'm kind of coming to the realization that any significant recruiting in Texas will just not happen. Not unless the Pac 16 includes Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Okie St. or something.
If CU had the in-state talent base that the AZ schools have, I would be inclined to agree.I think the hierarchy should go:1. CA2. CO3. TX4. HI, UT, AZThat should be the strategy with few exceptions.
 
Would like to see Hagan added as a coach to recruit so cal
also would seriously look at giving Lupoi a second chance.
But bringing tony Alford back to Colorado would be my number 1 wish. Running game coord. Lots of money. Whatever it takes.

This is something that may be more realistic given that this is Mac's first P5 gig and the prospective coaches who would come to Colorado for a one-year contract to have more losses on their resume number very few. If one particular head-scratching hire departs in the offseason, Mac could very well shift that position onto someone else (like LaRussa) and bring Hagan onto the field staff for RBs as he's done in the past. Would be a start albeit an underwhelming one. Not to knock #3 but his history as a coach here has come under lean times for head coaching and while he's a legend and a loyal Buff I also want to see new energy and ideas arrive. Tony Alford looks like a great candidate, although position coach at Notre Dame is something I don't think is very likely to be given up for position coach at Colorado. Regardless of a coordinator in name only tag that would be given to him. Steve Broussard is another and more realistic name I would like to see contacted.

Nik's mention of Oscar Giles is a good one. I was at Texas when Oscar was coaching there and he had some tremendous talent he sent to the league. I'm talking Brian Orakpo, Lamarr Houston, Sam Acho talent. Not a young guy, but in those in-between years of having great experience yet still being relatable and having relevant coaching experience that high school players will remember, especially in the areas he recruits.

We have the facilities plan out and we're selling early playing time and that's great. But the faster track to recruing better is wins. And... sighhhhh... the faster track to more wins is recruiting better. So we need to make some staff changes there.
 
As ridiculous as this may sound I think uniforms play a big role in recruiting now a days. I love the buffs simple uniforms but if they started to do what Oregon does with their uniforms (flashy, and constantly changing) I think that recruiting would pick up from that.
 
As ridiculous as this may sound I think uniforms play a big role in recruiting now a days. I love the buffs simple uniforms but if they started to do what Oregon does with their uniforms (flashy, and constantly changing) I think that recruiting would pick up from that.

I would rather us just suck. Seriously, USC, UCLA, Penn State, Michigan, Ohio State, Alabama, etc. etc. have been fairly successful over the years with simple, classy uniforms. I wouldn't root for a team that presented themselves like Oregon.
 
I would rather us just suck. Seriously, USC, UCLA, Penn State, Michigan, Ohio State, Alabama, etc. etc. have been fairly successful over the years with simple, classy uniforms. I wouldn't root for a team that presented themselves like Oregon.
:lol:
 
I would rather us just suck. Seriously, USC, UCLA, Penn State, Michigan, Ohio State, Alabama, etc. etc. have been fairly successful over the years with simple, classy uniforms. I wouldn't root for a team that presented themselves like Oregon.
Yeah haha very true. I just think that flashy uniforms get recruits attention. And it seems like it's mainly the speedy guys that are into the flashy uniforms for some reason.
 
As ridiculous as this may sound I think uniforms play a big role in recruiting now a days. I love the buffs simple uniforms but if they started to do what Oregon does with their uniforms (flashy, and constantly changing) I think that recruiting would pick up from that.

It is ridiculous.

It is also true.

CU has not ben a program that has had a "classic look" over the decades. In fact, it's one of the programs that has changed things up enough over the years that it's one of the programs best suited to adjust uniforms to keep them current without compromising important traditions.

Just don't change the colors.

Whatever it takes to attract recruits and enhance the brand.
 
It is ridiculous.

It is also true.

CU has not ben a program that has had a "classic look" over the decades. In fact, it's one of the programs that has changed things up enough over the years that it's one of the programs best suited to adjust uniforms to keep them current without compromising important traditions.

Just don't change the colors.

Whatever it takes to attract recruits and enhance the brand.
Exactly. http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/46/files/2010/11/broncos-new-uniform.png I know that this is the Broncos (obviously) but if the Buffs were to do something along these lines it would give us a better chance to land the higher profile guys.
 
I think we need at least one ace recruiter, maybe two. Can't tell me we can't replace Neinas with a stud recruiter and lose any recruit this year. I also think a great up and coming DC is a need. Jeffcoat has not recruited like he needs to for being a position coach. Unless Mac knows something these guys are doing great, I think some change is warranted. Would love to see a great aggressive DC and a stud recruiter in for Neinas. That would make me happy. I am not pushing Jeffcoat so much on the coaching, as I think the DL has improved a bit, considering where it was after we lost Sam K and Hennington this year. I am excited to see some of the guys we redshirted this year get playing time next year. I think Jeffcoat does need to pick it up in recruiting, or needs to be replaced.

If we can get a great DC from a lower level school, but one that also recruits well, then open the checkbook and get him.

I wish we all know where RG is on this. What he thinks of the performance of the coaches. I would feel better if I knew he wanted a few coaches changed out with better coaches and one that are much much much better recruiters. New facilities and a couple stud recruiters could shoot us to the upper half of the PAC in a short time IMO.
 
I think the Arizona / Texas comparison is flawed, While true that The AZ schools might be roughly the same distance from the Texas border as CU you have to put in perspective that El Paso is 1/2 way to Los Angeles from Dallas. So when speaking in real terms the amount of talent in the same radius is not even close, Have you ever been to Abilene, or Midland/Odessa ? The amount of D1 players in that region is roughly the same as it is in Colorado. The talent is in DFW and the 35 corridor to San Antonio, Houston, and East Texas. Trust me on this one I have never heard a single person in DFW utter the words "I would love to live in AZ where its even hotter then it is here" I have however heard Alfred Williams say when he came on his recruiting visit he stepped off the plane and it was like 70 degrees and he decided right then if they offered him he was coming. If you can get Darron Thomas to leave Houston to go to Eugene, before they were a top 10 team, you can get kids to Boulder.
 
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