SportsFootball Chat replay: CU Buffs beat writer Brian Howell (Feb. 10, 2020) Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Chat replay: CU Buffs beat writer Brian Howell (Feb. 10, 2020) By Brian Howell | howellb@dailycamera.com | Boulder Daily CameraPUBLISHED: February 10, 2020 at 11:24 a.m. | UPDATED: February 10, 2020 at 1:25 p.m.Buffzone.com beat writer Brian Howell takes your questions and leads discussion about CU sports today at Noon MT. That will do it for this week everybody. Great comments and questions once again! And, let's hope we don't have to worry about a new head football coach for a while!Really good group. I obviously like Clayton, but I really like Stacks, too. I've always been a fan of big backs like that and I think he could be a really nice addition to the backfield. Anglen is a talented kid who could help them in the secondary and potentially as a returner. So, I think it was a really good trio.Brian - Any quick thoughts on last Wednesday's recruits?Their last DL coach made $500K and I'd guess Brumbaugh gets at least thatWhat do you think brumbaughs Tennessee salary will be?I don't think he has ever done that, has he? I haven't heard that being in the plansDo you think Rick George will send some of the C-Unit to Vegas for the Pac-12 playoffs like Mike Bohn did?I don't know for sure because I couldn't find anything about the length of his Maryland contract, but my guess is that he was still being paid by Maryland last year.Why did brumbaughs salary increase so much in year 2? Macintyre payout?I would guess he will look aroundDo you think Mel is inquiring about about a new Dline coach? Or looking to keep it in house and possibly promote a GA.Not sure on that one. Kwahn was going to be retained by Tucker until he decided to leave, but Tucker has never worked with him. I'd guess Tucker tries to get someone he's worked with.Do you think there is a chance that Tucker reaches out to Kwahn Drake to see if he has an interest in coming back to Boulder as the DL Coach? He would have a much more talented DL group than when he left, perhaps working with Tucker is more appealing after seeing him prove himself, and CU definitely has more upside than Kansas. Wishful thinking on my part...or is this a legitimate possibility?I don't know on that one. that's a better question for Pat Rooney. Many of his staffers have been with him for a long time, though.Do you think it’s possible any of Tad’s assistants will leave?Everyone will have a starting point and I would expect Lytle starts spring ball at the No. 1 spot, but I think it'll be very fluid throughout spring.Is Lytle the presumed incumbent starter going into Spring Ball or is everyone first string on day one?I don't think it took that long. Reports came out around 8 p.m. on Friday and by 12:45 the next day, he tweeted he is committed to CU. In the middle of that, I know he had a donor event in San Diego on Friday night and I believe there was a donor lunch on Saturday. I think it felt long because people wanted him to address it immediately.What took tucker so long to deny the MSU thing?I didn't see any of the games, but I did see Spruce had a big game. Great for him. He works hard and its more talented than he gets credit for, in my opinion. I'd love to see him get another NFL shot.Thanks for doing these chats Brian! You catch any XFL this weekend? Haha. I didn't watch but saw Spruce had 11 receptions for 103 yards. No matter the competition - those are some impressive numbers! Would love to see him stay healthy and get another shot in the NFL.I never like to project without even knowing who is playing QB. Obviously it'll be an inexperienced QB, so there will be some breaking-in time needed. But, I don't think it's too daunting of a schedule to say CU can't go bowling. The defense should be better. How much? We'll see, but if the defense makes some good strides that will help. Having a solid rotation of 3-4 RBs will help the QBs. So, if they can run the ball and play some defense, they'll win some gamesLooking at next year's football schedule and how young we will be, I don't think we are going bowling. Is it too early for you to project that far ahead?I've always believed that, and not because of anything I've heard, and I don't say that as a knock on Tucker. I think he's genuine when he talks about CU's potential. I think he's all-in with this job - while he's in it. That's just the impression I get of him as a man. He will work hard to do his best. But, I do believe that if a desirable job came open in the SEC or the Big Ten, he'd be interested. I've always believed if Tucker got CU on a winning track and took them to back-to-back bowl games or more, it would be perceived as almost a miracle nationally and he'd be highly coveted.Brian I am as die hard a CU fan as anyone, but Mel Tucker has no ties to CU. Would you agree he's gone in a heartbeat if the right situation opens up...his alma mater Wisconsin, Georgia if Smart leaves, etc.?thank you! I'm glad you could be a part of the chat. ... But, you should fear losing the coach. I think he's a good hire for CU and he's done good things in his first year. I think it would set CU back a couple of years to lose him nowThanks for doing these chats Brian. I always enjoy your insights. You're probably right and it's just my fear of losing the best coach we've had for awhile that's showing it's head, I suspect.I agree, although I think they can get 2 of 3 in that swing. I know they won that game against Dayton in Chicago and that was a great win, but I look at how they played at Kansas and at Arizona and that gives me some pause about this team. How will they handle a really good team in, say, Omaha, during the first round of the Tourney? Here's the tough road for CU. People have mentioned the the fact that 5 of the last 7 are on the road. that's tough. But, it's worse than that. After the LA schools come here next week, CU is done in Boulder. They play 3 on the road to end the regular season. Then they go to Vegas for 2-3 games? Then, it's off to the NCAA Tourney and to get to the Sweet 16 they have to win twice away from Boulder. That's potentially an 8 or 9-game road trip. How they handle that will be interesting.The Oregon Trail is very difficult. A win in either game would be a good one on the resume. Agreed that you have to prove yourself in the tough road games. Cal, Stanford and Utah won't be easy either.If he's genuine in what he tweeted, he's committed to CU and believes in the program and what he's building. But, I also think the uncertain nature of MSU's athletic department has to be a factor.Why do you think Tucker declined the MSU job? Surely they could pay him more.It's hard to say because of the timing of it. If Tucker were to leave in December, definitely outside. This time of year, I think a lot of the options are not there, so it's possible he goes with someone from within.Hypothetical question so please ignore if you choose. If Mel Tucker left for Michigan State, does Rick George hire from within or does he go outside the program and get someone else as our next HC?Maybe, but it's very easy for Tucker to tell the recruit, "I could have gone somewhere and didn't. this is where I want to be."If I was a recruit, I would look at CU differently than I would have before this weekend.I'll throw that out for the fans. I don't live in Boulder and don't eat there often. When I do, it's often Firehouse Subs or Jimmy John's! Haha. I do like Pasta Jay's, however.Favorite Boulder restaurant?No, I don't. I think this team has potential to do something special. they also have the potential to go 0-2 on this trip to Oregon this week. Go 1-1, though, or even 2-0 and the Buffs will climb again. I think this is a team that can get to the Sweet 16 with the right matchups. Get there, and if you get a favorable matchup again, maybe sneak in the Elite 8. But ... this team has to prove itself in some tough road games.#16 Ranking for CU Bball today. That is very impressive. Congrats to Tad Boyle and team. Do you think that's the ceiling for this year's team?It was pretty cool being there, for sure. Great game!Saturday's game against Stanford was one of the most electric atmosphere's the keg has seen. Kudos to the #16 team in the country!That's true, but CU isn't the only team and the Pac-12 isn't the only conference losing coaches. Tennessee had a DL spot open because it's coach left for South Carolina. Coaches move a lot. But, yes, the economics don't help.I mean it feels likes its impacting us now---we already are losing assistant coaches because of the money..Mel eventually because of it...its just frustrating!!Winning is a big part of it. If you're a top recruit and you're wanted by CU, which has been to one bowl in 12 years, but you're also wanted by Michigan, Notre Dame, Washington, etc., it's hard to not go to those other places. CU is a lower-tier Power 5 program in the eyes of a lot of recruits. I think the nature of this state has something to do with it, too. A lot of these kids aren't FROM here, so they didn't grow up loving the Buffs. And, even if they are from here, this is a Broncos state, not a CU state. I think all of that works against CU. But, if they get to a point where they are winning 8-9-10 games a year, they'll get more of those guys.Why do you think CU has so much trouble keeping the top guys in-state? Does it just come down to winning or are there other issues?Well, I should point out that McCartney was not a CU guy before he came here, either, and he was very close to leave CU after the 1987 season and taking a job at SMU. So, yes, he stayed, but not without looking at other jobs. It's definitely an option with Tucker. Will he be here long term? I don't know. But, I think he can still be here long enough to get the program on better footing. Only time will tell if there is much impact from this.I normally think that Rooney is too negative and only sees the bad side, but this time I agree with him. I think this has far-reaching impacts on the CU program. MT is obviously not a CU guy. He's here till something better comes along. McCartney was a CU guy and you didn't have to worry about him taking the next best position. He built it and stayed. I no longer see that as an option for MT.Thank you! I think it's got the potential to be a problem for the Pac-12 down the road. If they don't have the resources to pay coaches like the SEC or Big Ten can, that's going to hurt them. Is it Larry Scott's fault? Maybe in some ways. But, not fully. The Pac-12 is simply not in an area of the country that loves its football like the Big Ten and SEC.Hello Brian! Enjoy your content as alway my guy! I hate feeling like CU won't be able to truly get back to elite status in football, because of the huge discrepancy in revenues that the pac 12 schools face compared to the other power 5 schools. If I'm Rick George i'm kicking and screaming at Larry Scott and anybody over Larry Scott to fix this ASAP! What do you think about it?I don't see McKinley going anywhere, but I do believe there's a good chance this is Bey's last season with CU. I personally think he would benefit from another year in college, but he may not think that way and scouts might not. I just get the feeling he'll test the waters a bit and could go.I saw that Tyler Bey turns 22 years old today. That kind of reinforces my belief that he's turning pro this year. Do you think he's gone, but maybe we keep Mckinley one more season?Not that I've seen. I saw a few players comment on social media about the business of college sports, but whether it has a negative impact on these guys, I'm not sure.Any blowback from current players, newly arrived and/or recruited players or potential targets after the flirtation with MSU? (sorry if already asked)At first I didn't like it. But, then I learned exactly what they were doing and I agree with you. However, I think they should have brought back Salaam's No. 19, as well. I realize it just retired 2 1/2 years ago, but it's weird to me that they'll keep it out of circulation for 19 years and then bring it back. Just bring them all back and honor them all the same way.I love that they're bringing the retired numbers back into circulation with a patch to honor those players. Retiring numbers always seemed weird to me, especially in college. Good move by CU.He's talented enough, but the thing with freshmen is that they have to adjust to college football and that adjustment is often not easy. To be the No. 1 back, he has to know pass protection and be able to do it; he has to catch the ball; he has to learn how to run as a college runner. Jaren Mangham came in last year with super high hopes and it looked like only a matter of time before he'd be THE guy, but he struggled with some of that stuff. He told me after the season it's very different playing the position in college as opposed to high school. It's relatively easy in high school. So, if Ashaad can adjust quickly and learn quickly, he could be in the mix to be No. 1. My guess, however, is that it'll be Fontenot as they bring Clayton along.What are the chances that Ashaad Clayton is the #1 RB this fall?I personally haven't interacted much with Evan, but everything I hear about him, yes, he is that great of a human. I've never heard one bad word about him, and I've heard many glowing comments about him. By all accounts, he's a remarkable person.Is Evan Battey as great of a human as appeared on TV Saturday after the collision? I already loved the kid, but that was an incredible moment to watch unfold. We are lucky to have him.It was reported by the Detroit Free Press. They tracked the planed used by Michigan State, and it was in Colorado from about 9:15 in the morning to 2 p.m. that afternoon.How do you know there was an MSU plane in Colorado? Not doubting your information I’m just wondering.Potentially, but I don't think it hurts that much, especially if they win. I don't think Tucker is very different from a lot of coaches. Kyle Whittingham at Utah might be the only one in the Pac-12 that you'd look at and say, "That guy is not going to jump at another job."With Tucker listening to MSU about their coaching opening, will this hurt recruiting down the road with players thinking he"ll leave if the offer is right?In my opinion, I think it's something a coach has to say, especially when there are rumors about him and especially just hours after he said he's committed to CU. Does he truly see CU as a destination job that he'd like to have for the next 15-20 years? In my opinion, no. But, what's he going to say? He can't stand up in front of donors and fans and say this is a stepping stone.Does Mel referring to CU as a destination job mean that so long as we are willing to retain him he will always be here?He's very much in the mix to start and enrolling early gives him a better shot at the job.Did Brendon Lewis enroll early to give him a fair shot at starting at QB in 2020 or is he an automatic redshirt next year?I don't know for sure, but if you look at the timeline of events, it's possible that happened. There was an MSU plan in Colorado on Friday and Tucker was in San Diego Friday night.Did tucker meet with MSU on Friday then meet with donors later that night?The reactions were all over the place, and no, I wasn't surprised by any of it. Fans are passionate and Mel's brought some life into the program. People don't want him to leave.Were you at all surprised by the CU fanbase's reaction to the Tucker news? I think it shows how much of a positive impact Mel's had on the attitude and psyche of both fans and players.Formally interviewed? I don't know. But, I do think he spoke with them about the job.Do you think Tucker interviewed with MSU?I don't think it's a big surprise or a big loss. I wasn't at practice, but I never heard his name when I'd ask about people standing out at practice. With the talent they have at receiver, I'm not sure he would have seen the field, barring injuries.How big of a surprise is Huffman-Dixon's entry onto the transfer portal? Is that a big loss for us?
