Spring football is just about five weeks away for Colorado, but a top priority for the Buffaloes at this point is filling two vacancies on their coaching staff.
On Tuesday, CU and all Football Bowl Subdivision teams were allowed to begin hiring a 10th assistant coach. Meanwhile, a source has confirmed to BuffZone.com that defensive line coach Jim Jeffcoat will not remain with the staff for the upcoming season.
Jeffcoat, 56, has been with the Buffs for the past five seasons and with MacIntyre for the past seven years.
MacIntyre originally hired Jeffcoat to coach the defensive line at San Jose State in 2011 and they were together with the Spartans for two seasons before coming to Boulder in 2013.
CU’s defensive line struggled this past season, as the Buffs slipped to 5-7 (2-7 Pac-12) and last in the South division.
Recruiting and player development on the defensive line has been as issue, as well.
Over the past five seasons, the Buffs have primarily used defensive linemen recruited by previous head coaches Dan Hawkins and Jon Embree or on junior college transfers.
High school defensive linemen recruited to CU under MacIntyre over the past five years have combined for just seven career starts (five by Jase Franke, two by Lyle Tuiloma). Two of the defensive linemen recruited by MacIntyre’s staff are now on offense (Eddy Lopez and Brett Tonz) and one was dismissed from the team last season (Frank Umu).
With Jeffcoat’s departure, just two assistants — co-offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Klayton Adams and tight ends coach Gary Bernardi — remain from the original staff MacIntyre brought to Boulder five years ago.
As for the 10th assistant coach, MacIntyre has never publicly outlined what he wants in that position, although there are some indications from sources that the Buffs could be looking for someone to assist ShaDon Brown in the secondary. MacIntyre, who has a strong background coaching the secondary, helped out in that area last year, but could be looking to give those duties to someone else.
On national signing day on Dec. 20, MacIntyre said it is “definitely possible,” that the 10th assistant position could go to someone currently on the football staff.
“There’s other guys out there that have already called for interest in that,” he said at the time. “That’s where I have to sit down and figure out what’s best for the program in the near future.
“I have to an extent (defined it), but I was kind of waiting to see if there was any more movement. One thing I learned from Bill Parcells, don’t rush in and do that too fast. Really look at your team, look at what’s going on, look at your staff. That’s why I do it the way I do it and make sure I get the best person that’s the best fit for our staff at the time.”
CU would like to get its two vacancies filled fairly quickly, but the process is still ongoing. MacIntyre has been out of town for the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) meetings in Charlotte, while athletic director Rick George has been out of town visiting donors.
Support for redshirt rule changes
AFCA executive director Todd Berry met with the media assembled in Charlotte on Wednesday morning and said there is “unanimous support” among the coaches in attendance for a revising of the redshirt rules.
Coaches would like to see an athlete be able to play up to four games in a season and keep a redshirt year. Currently, if a player is on the field for even one snap of one game, he burns his redshirt year.
Changing the rule would allow a redshirt player to get some game experience, but it would also allow a team to use a redshirt player to fill in for an injured veteran who might be out for a game or two.
Asked about a potential rule change in September, MacIntyre said, “I’m pushing it hard. If they did that, I think that would be really good. I’m hoping the NCAA votes that in, especially with our limited number of scholarships. For the safety of the player, I think it makes a big difference.”
Berry said Wednesday that coaches on all levels have been unanimously in favor of the change.
Contact staff writer Brian Howell at howellb@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/BrianHowell33
