Dec. 16, 2005
BOULDER -- Dan Hawkins, the winningest active coach in NCAA Division I-A football, has been named the 23rd head coach in University of Colorado history, athletic director Mike Bohn announced Friday.
Hawkins, 45, comes to Colorado from Boise State University, where he has guided the Broncos to a 53-10 record in five seasons and to four consecutive Western Athletic Conference championships. His 84.1 winning percentage is the best among all active coaches, with the 53 wins the fourth most all-time for a coach in their first five seasons as a major college head coach (and the second most in Division I-A since the NCAA went to current classifications in 1978).
He replaces Gary Barnett, who stepped down after seven years as CU's head coach on December 8. Bohn coordinated the search for a new coach with the help of Neinas Sports Services and also involved others on campus in the process.
"Coach Hawkins represents a level competitive spirit, integrity, work ethic and passion that will serve this institution, football program and entire athletic department well for many years to come," Bohn said. "This is an exciting time at the University of Colorado and he is the perfect fit for what we were looking for."
Hawkins has agreed to a five-year contract, effective January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2010, including the following terms approved by the CU Board of Regents: guaranteed annual compensation of $850,000 ($160,000 base salary, $490,000 in radio/television income, and $200,000 in sponsorship support); summer camp compensation of $50,000; incentive compensation of $200,000 for academic progress ($50,000), student citizenship ($50,000) and community outreach ($100,000); and performance incentives of $50,000 (non-BCS bowl), $100,000 (Big 12 North Division title), $100,000 (winning the Big 12 Championship), $100,000 (BCS bowl win) and $250,000 (national championship).
Other benefits include a NIKE merchandise allowance of $3,500 annually, an automobile allowance of $600 per month or courtesy car at the discretion of the University, a country club allowance of $400 per month, use of one suite for home football games at Folsom Field and complimentary men's and women's basketball tickets, and standard University employee benefits per policy to include relocation and temporary housing up to $15,000.
There is also a buyout provision for the University in the amount of $1 million for departure anytime before the end of the second year of the contract, decreasing to $750,000 during the third year and to $500,000 during the fourth or fifth year.
CU will assume the responsibility of retiring Hawkins' contract obligation to Boise State in an amount not to exceed $700,000.
"I am delighted to welcome Coach Hawkins to the CU-Boulder campus community," Chancellor Phil DiStefano said. "His record of achievements on the field is impressive, but he also brings a deep commitment to the personal and academic growth of student-athletes in his charge. I believe Coach Hawkins will be a good fit as well for the Boulder community, bringing an enthusiastic attitude to his relationships with members of the community. I look forward to working with him and Mike Bohn in moving the football program forward while focusing on the best interests of our students."
"Dan Hawkins helps make it a new day at CU. His integrity will strengthen our program," CU President Hank Brown said.
Hawkins took over the Boise State program on December 2, 2000, replacing Dirk Koetter, whom he had served as assistant head coach, after he took the head coach position at Arizona State. Hawkins joined the BSU staff in 1998, and coached the tight ends and special teams in addition to assistant head coach duties.
Boise State went 8-4 in his first season in 2001, and then strung together consecutive records of 12-1, 13-1 and 11-1 in posting a 24-0 record in WAC conference play in 2002, 2003 and 2004. His 2005 team went 9-3, and earned a bowl invitation opposite Boston College in the MPC Computers Bowl. He will conclude his BSU coaching career with a chance to win that game at home on Boise's famous blue artificial turf field, where his teams logged an astounding 31-1 record -- including 31 consecutive wins. His Broncos had also won 31 straight games against Western Athletic Conference teams until a loss to Fresno State this season; he was 37-3 in conference games during his five year run.
In the postseason, Boise State defeated Iowa State, 34-16, in the 2002 Humanitarian Bowl; edged TCU 34-31 in the 2003 Fort Worth Bowl, and dropped a 44-40 decision to Louisville in the 2004 Liberty Bowl in one of the season's most anticipated bowl games between the undefeated and No. 10 Broncos and the 10-1 and No. 7 ranked Cardinals.
Twenty of his players at Boise State earned first-team all-WAC honors, with three earning some kind of All-American mention and 10 either being drafted or signing as free agents with National Football League teams. One of the latter is a very popular local name, Denver Bronco starting tight end Jeb Putzier.
"It has been my privilege since arriving at Boise State to work with Dan Hawkins as our football coach," Boise State University President Bob Kustra said. "Dan has been an outstanding ambassador and role model for Boise State in this transformative era of our history. He has brought distinction to Boise State and has helped us showcase our teaching and research beyond the blue."
"His commitment to excellence has been a personal benchmark for me to apply to all I do as President. I know what an important career opportunity lies before him at this time and I wish him, Misti and his family the very best in this next phase of his life and career."
Hawkins is a 1984 graduate of the University of California-Davis, earning a bachelor's degree in physical education. In 1993, he earned a master's degree in educational administration from St. Mary's (Calif.) College.
He began his coaching career at his alma mater the fall before he graduated, spending three years there (1983-85) before serving as head coach at Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento for the 1986 and 1987 seasons. He then returned to the college ranks, spending four seasons (1988-91) as the offensive coordinator at the College of the Siskiyous (Calif.). He moved on to Sonoma State University as defensive coordinator the following year.
Hawkins' first head coaching position was with Willamette University in Salem, Ore., where in five seasons (1993-97), he guided the Bearcats to a 40-11-1 record, including a runner-up finish for the NAIA National Championship in 1997. He was named District Five Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association, as well as earning a third straight conference coach of the year award. Willamette was co-conference champion in 1995, and in 1996 won the out-right conference title finishing the season with a No. 7 national ranking. He then moved on to Division I-A football, joining Koetter's staff at Boise State in 1998.
He will take over the program officially on January 1, following Boise State's bowl game on December 28. Colorado, 7-5 on the season and the Big 12 North Division champions for the fourth time in five years, plays Clemson in the Champs Sports Bowl on December 27 in Orlando. Defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz was promoted to interim head coach for the game.