Mike MacIntyre named Pac-12 Coach of the Year

In news that should surprise absolutely no one, Colorado Buffaloes head football coach Mike MacIntyre was chosen as the Pac-12 Coach of the Year on Tuesday. This, after MacIntyre guided the Buffs to an incredible turnaround that has the team playing for the Pac-12 championship against Washington this Friday night.

MacIntyre went 10-27 in his first three years at the school, a record that included a 2-25 mark in the Pac-12 conference. But the university let him see the process through and this year, the Buffs have shocked the nation by posting a 10-2 record that includes conference wins over Stanford, Washington State, Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Oregon State, UCLA and Utah.

There really was no other choice for the coach of the year in the conference, but MacIntyre deflected the praise when he spoke to the Denver Post.

“From our trainers to strength staff to equipment managers to football operations. Everybody has done so much to propel these young men and instill confidence and belief in them. I’m just fortunate enough to have ‘head coach’ in front of my name. I’m just along for the ride.”

It has truly been a dream season for the Buffaloes, who haven’t appeared in a Bowl game since 2007. On Friday, they’ll be looking to clinch their first conference championship since 2001 when they defeated Texas in the Big 12 Championship Game. In addition, MacIntyre becomes the first Colorado head coach to take home Coach of the Year honors since Gary Barnett was chosen as the Big 12 Coach of the Year in 2004, an award he also was given in 2001.

But the Buffs aren’t satisfied and coach MacIntyre certainly won’t be satisfied with an individual award. The team faces Washington this Friday night in one of the biggest game’s in school history, at least in recent memory.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. MST and the game will be televised on FOX from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.