Tucker Takes over Buffs Football
Mel Tucker was named CUâs 26th head football coach in December, succeeding Mike MacIntyre, who was let go after delivering a 14-39 Pac-12 record over six seasons.
Tucker, 47, a former University of Georgia defensive coordinator and secondary coach, signed a five-year, $14.75 million contract.
Nick Saban, the Alabama and six-time national champion coach, hired Tucker three times and calls him âone of the brightest coaches in our profession.â A University of Wisconsin alum, Tucker has coached for six universities and three NFL teams.
A new priority at CU will be adding bigger, stronger players, he said: âWe need to be stout in the trenches. We have to be able to move people.â Tucker will lead the Buffs onto the field for the first time April 27, for the annual spring game.
âColorado should be a âno excuseâ program,â he said.
Buffs Bits
- Kennedy Leonard (Commâ19) delivered her 613th career assist Dec. 30, becoming CU womenâs basketballâs all-time assists leader.
Ìę - Phillip Lindsay (Commâ18) became the first undrafted rookie named to the NFL Pro Bowl, before a wrist injury ended his season with one game left.
Ìę - Fresh off a three-year, $34 million extension with the Brooklyn Nets, Spencer Dinwiddie (Comm exâ15) will wear 82 different pairs of custom sneakers this season and auction off each worn pair for charity.
Ìę - CU Sports Information Director David Plati (Jourâ82) received the Football Writers Association of Americaâs Lifetime Achievement Award. Heâs in his 35th year as the Buffsâ SID.
Ìę - The Colorado Sports Hall of Fame named runner Dani Jones (Psychâ19) collegiate athlete of the year.
Ìę - David Bakhtiari (Comm exâ13) of the Green Bay Packers was named All Pro left tackle for the 2018 NFL season, recognizing him as the best at his position.
Ìę - CU womenâs hurdlers took six of the top seven spots in one 60-meter race in January, including the top three.