Hagan Promoted To Running Backs Coach; Staff Retooled
BOULDER — Darian Hagan, the quarterback who led the University of Colorado to the 1990 national championship and three Big Eight Conference titles, has been named running backs coach, head football coach Mike MacIntyre announced Saturday.
It will be Hagan’s second stint as an assistant coach, as Gary Barnett named him as an offensive assistant, working with skill position players in 2005, and he was one of two coaches retained by Dan Hawkins when he took over as head coach in 2006. He was in that role through the 2010 season, but when Jon Embree was named head coach in 2011, Hagan moved into the director of player personnel position, and in three seasons under MacIntyre, he has served as the director of player development.
With the naming of Hagan as running backs coach, Klayton Adams will move from coaching the backs and tight ends to the offensive line, and Gary Bernardi will shift from the offensive line to the tight ends and fullbacks. Both have previous experience at their new positions.
“Darian brings a lot of pride and passion to our football program with his history here, and also brings expertise to our running backs,” MacIntyre said. “In shifting our offensive staff assignments a little bit, he will give us another dimension in our running game and working with our running backs.
“He’s also an excellent recruiter because he loves the University of Colorado and is so passionate about it,” Macintyre added. “He has a lot of connections, especially in California, which is an area we obviously consider to be important in our recruiting. We’re excited to have Darian as part of our coaching staff.”
Hagan, 46, who absolutely enjoyed his previous time as an assistant coach, is excited to “get his whistle back.”
“It means a lot to me to just be able to help these young men grow, be a part of their lives in a different capacity,” Hagan said. “As a coach, you have a lot influence on the student-athlete that you work with every day. I want to lead them in the right direction and hope to help them become well rounded in all areas of life.”
As far as his coaching abilities, Hagan said, “I think I bring a unique perspective in understanding how to play the position, and it will be my responsibility to convey that and make them better players. I am excited about the players we have on our roster and I can’t wait to get out there this spring and begin working with them.”
Hagan coached two of CU’s top seven all-time running backs, Rodney “Speedy” Stewart, who is second on the Buffs’ all-time rushing list with 3,598 yards, and Hugh Charles, who finished his career with 2,659 yards and in seventh place.
Spring practice will begin on Wednesday, March 2, with the annual spring game set for Saturday, April 9; the Pac-12 Networks will once again broadcast the game, which has a Noon start time.