By Fitzgerald Cecilio

Denver, CO

University of Colorado has hired San Jose State mentor Mike MacIntyre as its new football coach, replacing Jon Embree, who was fired after compiling a 1-11 record last season.

According to reports, Colorado has signed MacIntyre to a five-year deal worth $2 million a year, four times his salary at San Jose State.

MacIntyre's decision to take over the woeful Buffaloes football program came as a surprise as he recently steered San Jose State to its first 10-win season in 25 years and a No. 24 ranking in the BCS and coaches poll.

However, it was unclear if MacIntyre will coach the Spartans when they face Bowling Green in the Military Bowl on Dec. 27 or immediately tackle his job as the 25th full-time head coach in Colorado history.

MacIntyre helped turned around the Spartans' football program from a 1-12 in his first season to a 10-game winner in his third year.

The Buffaloes are hoping that MacIntyre can do the same in their football program, which finished 4-21 in two seasons under Embree and had seven straight losing seasons.

Earlier, the Buffaloes asked Cincinnati's Butch Jones to fill the spot left by Embree. Jones declined and eventually accepted the head coaching job at Tennessee.

 

 

Colorado Tabs Mike MacIntyre as Football Coach