Colorado University Athletics
Woelk: Scoreboard Says Buffs' Co-Coordinator System Works
December 27, 2016 | Football, Neill Woelk
SAN ANTONIO — Darrin Chiaverini couldn't help it.
Paired with fellow offensive co-coordinator Brian Lindgren on stage at an Alamo Bowl press conference Monday afternoon, Chiaverini's Colorado coaching hat came off and his Buffalo blood bubbled to the surface.
It was vintage Chiaverini — rapid-fire enthusiasm wrapped in excitement and neatly tied with a black-and-gold bow.
The question from the media was innocent enough. Both were asked about CU's success this season and how it has affected the program's recruiting.
The always calm-and-cool Lindgren delivered an analytical, X's and O's response. He pointed to the fact that CU's appearances on national television down the stretch of the season were a big bonus. He noted that a packed Folsom Field was impressive to recruits on their visits, and that CU's new state-of-the-art Champions Center has also played a role in improving Colorado's visibility and level of attractiveness.
In short, a carefully designed game plan.
But Chiaverini?
Analysis became emotion. Chiaverini threw deep.
"This is where Colorado is supposed to be," Chiaverini told the media. "The kids that we're recruiting or the kids that are committed to our class, they didn't get a chance to see Colorado like I did growing up. … In my mind, this is long overdue. This is where we're supposed to be. We're supposed to be in the national spotlight. We're supposed to be on national television."
That was enough to turn heads. Definitely enough to catch the attention of reporters.
But Chev was just getting warmed up. The man who once wore a CU uniform as a standout receiver, who has returned "home" as a coach to help the Buffs return to relevance, made it clear where his heart lies.
For Chiaverini, it's not just about football. Not anymore.
"I take it very personal because being a Buff and someone who wore the black and gold and someone who sang the fight song hundreds of times in those locker rooms — I think it's where we're supposed to be," Chiaverini said. "I can't really express it in the words that I want to, but when you talk to kids and you see them talk about CU football and you see people wearing the logo and wearing the brand, it's special — and it's just the beginning for us. We're heading the right direction."
Of course, Chiaverini saying he can't express his thought in words is a little like Steph Curry saying he can't find a shot he likes.
Not in this world.
But there is no questioning Chiaverini's passion. Given the opportunity to put the Colorado brand front and center, the chance to sell CU football to anyone who might be listening, Chiaverini's heart is always easy to find.
It's right there on his sleeve, tucked neatly next to the Ralphie logo.
While Lindgren is the seemingly unflappable half of the combo coordinators, Chiaverini fairly overflows with emotion. Lindgren studies practice almost as if managing a chessboard; Chiaverini is always on the move, coaxing, cajoling, threatening — whatever necessary to get the Buffs' attention.
To be honest, the co-coordinator system is one that raised more than a few eyebrows when first introduced. Conventional wisdom suggested there might be some problems.
But after a year's worth of results have been tallied, the scoreboard doesn't lie.
The system works. The coordinators seem to like it; as do the players.
"I didn't know what to think at first," admitted CU quarterback Sefo Liufau. "I'd never really heard of a co-offensive coordinator system. But as the year progressed, it's been wonderful. I think the cliché of saying two minds are better than one — or however it goes — it's been great. Each one has their own strengths and weaknesses, and they've both helped me grow a lot as a quarterback. They've helped this offense grow tremendously and allowed us to do a lot of positive things this year. It's been nothing but great things."
Liufau, who was a member of Mike MacIntyre's first recruiting class, arrived in Boulder at the same time as Lindgren.
"I've been with him for four years now, and he's always on me in a quiet way, always letting me know," Liufau said. "And then Coach Chev is kind of a little more outgoing with fire. He'll let you know you messed up when it happens, and so it's been great overall just to have both of them back there helping run the offense."
Along with his offensive duties, the social media-savvy Chiaverini is also CU's recruiting coordinator. In an age when young people are joined at the hip with their smartphones, it is a perfect fit. Along with adding a boost to CU's offense, he has played a major role in helping significantly improve CU's presence and national brand across a variety of platforms. In the world of social media, the Buffs are now a major player.
But truth is, the medium doesn't matter as much as the message — and Chiaverini's message is now Colorado.
Always Colorado.
"It's very personal," Chiaverini said. "Watching as a former player from a distance, seeing the program struggle the last 10 years, it was something I really wanted to get back and help change. When the stars kind of aligned, it was like it was supposed to happen."
But, Chiaverini says, what the Buffs did this year — a 10-2 regular-season record, a Pac-12 South title and a top-10 ranking — should be viewed as only the beginning.
"This year has been very gratifying to see what we accomplished, but we still have much farther to go," he said. "This is where we are supposed to be. If we keep doing what we're doing, recruiting the way we are supposed to recruit, improving our roster every year, we will be competing nationally for championships. That's what you want — because that's what should be expected at Colorado."
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
