Mike MacIntyre, who turned around the San Jose State program in short order, now will be asked to do the same at the University of Colorado. MacIntyre signed a five-year, $10 million deal Monday to coach the Buffs.
His hiring ends a two-week search by Colorado that included a rejection by its first choice, Cincinnati’s Butch Jones, who then accepted Tennessee’s offer.
Colorado has had seven consecutive losing seasons, including a 4-27 record (1-11 in 2012) in two seasons under Jon Embree in the Pacific-12 Conference.
SJSU (10-2) is heading to the Dec. 27 Military Bowl in Washington, D.C., to face Bowling Green (8-4), two years after a 1-12 record in McIntyre’s first season.
Before meeting with reporters, MacIntyre met his new players, leaving them with this thought: He’s turned around one downtrodden program and can do the same in Boulder.
“I think he won a lot of guys over in his confidence, with what he did at San Jose State and what he can do now,” quarterback Connor Wood said. “He said we have a lot of talent here and can do the exact same thing. We believe it.”
So does defensive back Parker Orms, who was recruited by former CU coach Dan Hawkins, played for Embree and now will learn a new system under MacIntyre.
“I came in here (to Colorado) with different expectations,” Orms said. “I thought I would be with Hawk the whole time, thought we’d be competing for a national championship. That didn’t happen with Hawk. Embree came in and I felt the same way. ... But I met with (MacIntyre) today and he seems like a well-rounded guy. I have a good vibe.”
One Tacoma player is set to play under the new coach. ESPN reported that Bellarmine Prep star Sefo Liufau renewed his commitment to Colorado.
PETRINO GETS JOB
Bobby Petrino was introduced as the new coach at Western Kentucky, saying he and his wife “consider this coming home.”
Petrino replaces Willie Taggart, who left WKU last week to become South Florida’s coach.
After a 34-17 record at Arkansas, Petrino was fired in April for a “pattern of misleading” behavior following investigation of a motorcycle crash that revealed that Petrino was with his mistress.
UTEP HIRES ALUM
UTEP hired Sean Kugler to replace retired Mike Price. Kugler played for the Miners in the 1980s, when he was coached by current UTEP athletic director Bob Stull.
EXTRA POINTS
South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore, whose right knee was injured Oct. 27 against Tennessee, will reportedly enter the NFL draft. … Johnathan “Big Hank” Hankins, an All-Big Ten defensive tackle for Ohio State, said he will skip his senior season and enter the 2013 NFL draft. … Texas Tech offensive line coach Chris Thomsen will be the Red Raiders’ interim coach for the Meineke Car Care Bowl after Tommy Tuberville left to take the Cincinnati job.
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