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Hawkins plans road trip
CU coach wants to take motor home around to meet fans
Dan Hawkins won't let the NCAA keep him home this spring.
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The Colorado football coach is not a big fan of a recent rule change prohibiting head coaches from recruiting off campus during the spring evaluation period April 15 to May 31. Those responsibilities now rest completely with assistant coaches.
He's not a big fan of golf either. So he devised a plan to build his program that doesn't involve recruiting future players. Hawkins is going to recruit future fans and boosters instead.
He already discussed his idea with athletic director Mike Bohn and Chancellor G.P. "Bud" Peterson and they just might join him.
Road trip anyone?
"I told them I said, 'Hey, let's rent a motor home and let's just start going around to every town in the state and saying, hi, and meeting boosters and alums and people and engaging people,'" Hawkins said.
The itinerary is only in the preliminary stages of development, but Hawkins is dead serious about visiting the four corners of the state and everywhere in between.
It won't be the only item on his agenda during the days after spring football ends on April 19.
After all, Hawkins takes recruiting as seriously as any head coach in the country and he's passionate about developing relationships with high school coaches and prospects. He still will be heavily involved in the process by watching film of recruits and communicating with his staff members,helping to organize their travel and visits.
The new rule was intended to help avoid incidents of "bumping" between coaches and recruits (occasions when a college head coach is visiting a high school or junior college coach and bumps into one or more student athletes being recruited). The rule doesn't prohibit a head coach from picking up the phone.
"If I can't talk to the coach in person, I'll get him on the phone and make sure we get the transcripts in here and really try to hone in on those guys," Hawkins said.
Hawkins said he will also make a few professional development trips to visit other coaches around the nation and learn how they run their programs. Hawkins took several of those trips last year, including a visit to the University of Florida.
In addition, CU also will host the Big 12 spring meetings once again this year at the Broadmoor Hotel in late May.
Posted by Coyote02 on February 29, 2008 at 6:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dan Hawkins....... The trendsetter. I bet it works and other coaches will follow his lead.
Posted by seanspradling on February 29, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, when do we get the schedule? I know it is still in the works but when will we see it? Will it be stapled to the packets containing all the details of the spring game that must be in the works by now?
Posted by Ralphie2 on February 29, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
VIVA HAWK!!! I LOVE THIS GUY!!! CAN I COME ON THE ROAD TRIP?
P.S. PACK FOLSOM FOR THE SPRING GAME
4/19/08
Be there.
Posted by CABuffalo on February 29, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ralphie2 said it! Everyone reading this - if you really are a fan and support the Buffs, then SHOW them your support and be there, don't just talk about your support. I can't wait to see how Scott and Polk look along with some of the young WRs. I'm pumped for the coming years!
Posted by cubuffone on February 29, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The state tour is nothing new. It was a yearly event back in the Mac days. Unfortunately the budget constraints cut that out and handicapped Mac's successors. Good to see the campus is turning around.
Posted by russell.zigler on February 29, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll be at the spring game and all my friends and family. How can you not be excited to support a program headed by Dan Hawkins? This guy is the best thing to happen to CU football since McCartney, bar none.
Keep up the good work Hawk, we're all behind you.
Posted by ChicagoBuffsFan on February 29, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Hawk, if you're reading this, COME TO CHICAGO!, or at least Evanston. Lots of CU alums here.
Posted by cubuff85 on February 29, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
With Hawk at the helm, CU will be a perenial top 10 team for years to come. The man is not only doing it the right way, but is energetic, innovative, and is constantly trying to improve himself and CU. The man led off one of the most anticipated recruiting football press conferences in CU history by giving a shout-out to the CU Engineering Dept.! Give him a new contract NOW!
Posted by IAM4CUINIOWA on February 29, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Coach!
When you're done touring the great state of Colorado, how 'bout heading east!
Skip over Neb. and come to Iowa! I'll host a "Talk to the Hawk" party at my house in central Iowa, and all fans from Iowa,Minn.,Wisc.,Ill. and wherever can come to my central location and have a blast with you and your entourage!
(sorry guys, for trying to corral him here, just trying to cut down some of my travel, since I will be in Boulder for the Spring game and for all "Home" games, and in Lincoln)
Sounds like fun to me! I'll wait for the word and then start inviting you all here!
Go Buffs!!
See you at the Spring game soon!
Posted by hinfinityl on February 29, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
God, I love this guy. Please sign him to an extension...
Posted by ArizonaBuff on February 29, 2008 at 2:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How about a caravan of Buff fans?
Posted by NavyBuff96 on February 29, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hawk, I'm coming from the Aloha State for the spring game! How' bout a home-and-home and you make a return trip to the Islands?
GO BUFFS!
CU ON 4/19!!!
Posted by salsajohn on February 29, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hawk, come visit this CU alum in South Florida. I'll take you around Miami where we'll "accidentally bump" into countless blue chip prospects. The U doesn't have nearly enough scholarships for all the talent down here
Besides, people in Miami glorify Colorado for its beauty and countless outdoor activities (which makes me infinitely proud of my native state BTW). You'd be well received. FYI - It's 73 and sunny today
Posted by CaliBuff on February 29, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I love it. I got to meet Hawk when he showed up at the Orange County alumni dinner back in '06 and he is extremely personable. Our AD leaders (Bohn, Hawk & Bzdelik) are doing a tremendous job. Keep it up.
Posted by rbboulder on February 29, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If they need someone for drive the bus, I am in. :-))
Posted by NorCalLovesDaBuffs on February 29, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I met him at an event at Pepsi Center where Collin Powell, Rudy Guilliani and Mike Shannahan were speaking. He was waiting in line to get in, just like everyone else. I immediately had more respect for him, most coaches would only attend something like that if they were one of the featured speakers.
Posted by nolanjp on February 29, 2008 at 5:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Most coaches after getting a new gig have to do this. Living in Nebraska, not a NU fan, but Bo Pelini has been doing the same thing. He has been traveling around the state to get people to know him and his staff better. He invited tons of high school coaches to a sports bar and spoke to them to get to know them. Building relationships in the state in which you coach is huge. Hawk is on the right path, but this is nothing new or something that "Hawk" came up with.
Posted by Ralphie2 on March 1, 2008 at 12:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
4/19/08
Be there!
Posted by rswright on March 1, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Hawkins is going to recruit future fans and boosters instead."
With a coach like that a full stadium is not far behind. As the politicos know, pressing the flesh is the best guarantee fans will be involoved. The Hawk soars! GO HAWK!
Posted by halluxvalgus on March 1, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SoCal is a huge haven to CU alums and recruits alike. If Hawk wants to roll through LA and the OC, we'll roll out the red carpet in turn. Clark Evans/ 09 QB!
Posted by detsch21 on March 1, 2008 at 8:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just got back from a beach, having been detached from the world/internet for a week. After reading this, and the other CU articles posted in the past 7 days, I have to say, it is a beautiful thing to be a part of BuffNation and see a representation of the fan support for our coaches, players, and the program. Keep it up, spread the word, and have patience. We might not win a national championship tomorrow, but we will have that title again very soon and it might be around to stay for while. That's what I think... Go Buffs!
Posted by BuffDonor on March 2, 2008 at 11:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Spring enthusiasm is always great but taking the bad medicine with the good in the fall is the measure of real support. Hawk will have to sell awfully hard to really compete with the other Big 12 schools who have facilities. So fill up the stadium and join the Buff Club with a max conribution and maybe the Ath Dept can add to those facilities in a reasonable period. The crying over the required gift to keep the season ticket location was a disgrace!!! Go Buffs!!!
Posted by CUsucks on March 4, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
you all are winning the voting! worstfans.com
keep up the hard work, i'm sure coach hawk is proud.
Posted by Buff_since_76 on March 4, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nice,
100 ctizens of Nebraska were bored during the offseason and voted for CU 20 times each. That must mean we are the worst fans ever!
Posted by rodrigo on March 5, 2008 at 7:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's all Nebraska has left to talk about now that their football team gives up 40+ points every fall weekend.
Posted by tallisal on March 5, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
New Coach Bo Pelini:
“We’re going to set our goals high and shoot for the top,” Pelini said. “I’m not looking at five years down the road. We want to win and win now. We want to win big.”
This guy reminds me of Bob Stoops when he started at OU in 1999. Could be trouble...
Posted by CABuffalo on March 5, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh please, Nebraska is yesterday's news and everyone but corn fed fans can see the writing on the wall. You had your glory years, now it's CUs turn, so step aside and try not to cry when Scott and Polk cut through your blackskirts like softened butter and envoke memories of Purify and Brown.
All you CU haters out there: ever heard of a sleeping giant? Colorado IS A SPORTS state, all it takes is a successful team that plays hard every game and people will show up. As long as Hawk is around and the team is doing well, the support will be there.
Posted by rodrigo on March 5, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tall,
“We’re going to set our goals high and shoot for the top. I’m not looking at five years down the road. We want to win and win now. We want to win big.”
That's trouble? Pelini utters the ultimate in coach-speak and the college football world is supposed to be afraid?
Highly doubtful.
Posted by tallisal on March 5, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Pelini isn't just any coach. He was the defensive coordinator for the national champions this season..
Pelini inherits a lot of talent from last season. The offensive was solid at NU last season..
The weakness of NU was their poorly coached defense, in which Pelini surely will have a big hand in fixing...
I predict they will compete for the Big 12 title maybe as early as this season..
Posted by rodrigo on March 5, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Please. You predict... You're sure. Wow. Guess we might as well call off the season and annoint the Huskers Big 12 champs then...
I think everybody outside of Neb. would agree that LSU had, oh, just a weensy bit more talent on the field last year than Neb. will next. Until it proves it can play, all that Cornhusker "talent" is unfulfilled promise, no matter who the coach.
At least now there is no denying you're a troll. Now run along until the third week in Nov., then we can talk.
Posted by tallisal on March 5, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You sure flip out easy...
Not much harm in talking about the various teams in the big 12 during the off season is there?
I also Think OU and Texas are going to be powerhouses, what are your thoughts on them?
Posted by rodrigo on March 5, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Flip out?
No, I just think you're a Nebraska troll and don't have much respect for the accuracy of your predictions (see last Nov., for instance) or your ability to objectively think/talk about the Cornhuskers.
OU? Texas? Year in, year out have all the "talent" in the world but usually find a way to waste it and come up short in the end.
Posted by tallisal on March 5, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Now you're being plain silly...
No team in the history of college football has ever been good enough to go undefeated and win the NC every year...
Failure to win the NC every year does not mean the team wasted their talent and "blew it"..
Anyways, I think NU will be much improved on Defense and be a whole different team under Pelini...
Hawkins needs to put up this season also.
Posting a 2-10 record to make a 6-7 record somehow look like progress is like raising the price of gas to $4.00 a gallon to make 3.09 a gallon seem reasonable.
Posted by rodrigo on March 5, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
End of discussion.
Posted by salsajohn on March 5, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
2008 preseason Big XII North rankings
1. MU
2. KU
3. CU
4. KSU
5. NU
6. ISU
2008 predictions
1. MU - The crushed us last year
2. CU
3. KU
4. KSU
5. NU
6. ISU
I'd like to think CU can win, but MU is returns a lot of talent and they just crushed us in Boulder.
KU has a much much tougher schedule and loses in the South will be their undoing.
KSU=yawn
NU... Come on. They lost all the WR's and some good OL guys. They lost all the LB's and some good secondary pieces. That team is going nowhere in 2008 with their first time head coach, mediocre talent and new schemes.
I hear their offense is going to be unstoppable, but they put up a lot of yards in 2007 because they were usually getting killed and had to pass on every play.
NU's 2007 high-power offense scored 6 against MU, 14 at home vs OSU, 14 vs A&M. They scored 36 vs KU (KU scored 76) and they scored 51 vs CU (14 garbage time points and CU didn't have Wheatley - Oh & CU scored 65). NU (playing OU and TT in the South) will go 2-6 or 3-5 in conference in 2008.
Posted by extrapoint on March 5, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
salsa
If the cornpone lost all their LBs and some of their secondary that is probably positive news for them.
Posted by tallisal on March 6, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hear that..
I read some of the player's complaints about their practices last season at NU..
very little tackle in pads and when they did they had to hit high to cut down on leg injuries..
And Callahan was scratching his head trying to figure out why so many missed tackles...
Pelini will take a more physical approach...
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