When he took the job at Colorado, Athletic Director Rick George was stepping into something of a mess. More than a dozen years later, and after a few misses, his moves while in charge in Boulder have made CU an attractive job for someone qualified to become a Power Four conference AD.
George will retire at the end of the current academic year, leaving the CU administration ample time to hire his replacement.
When he left his job as the President of Business Operations for The Texas Rangers in 2013 to return to Boulder, it was to replace embattled AD Mike Bohn, whoâd been in charge since 2005. Georgeâs hiring came on the heels of the John Embree Era as CUâs football coach. In two seasons prior to Georgeâs arrival, the Buffs went 4-21 under Embree. George had previously served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Buffs in the late 1980âs during the âglory yearsâ under Hall of Fame football coach Bill McCartney.
Georgeâs first hire didnât prove to be a home run, although Mike MacIntyreâs third CU team went 10-4 and did win the Pac 12âs South division in 2016 with MacIntyre being named Pac 12 and Walter Camp Coach of the Year. Otherwise it was a tough go. Just a season after signing a $16 mil contract extension, George fired MacIntyre after the 2018 season with an overall record of 30-44.
Georgeâs next two hires didnât improve things on the gridiron. Mel Tucker (5-7 in one season before unexpectedly bolting for Michigan State in February of 2020) and Karl Dorrell (who came in right when COVID hit) didnât pan out like CU fans had hoped, either. After firing Dorrell and his staff following a 1-11 season in 2022, George finally struck the right note for CU football when took a chance no other Power Four program was willing to take.
He brought the Deion Sanders Show to Boulder. The excitement generated by Sanders arrival at CU was unmatched in school history.
Off the field, George spearheaded numerous facility improvements and fund raising efforts and have revitalized the athletic department, including the loosening of academic and transfer requirements, which allowed Sanders to overhaul the Buffaloes football roster.
George also helped usher the Buffaloes back into the Big 12 conference following the 2023 school year after the program spent 13 years in the Pac 12 conference. When CU left the Big 12 back in 2011, it appeared that conference was crumbling. Instead the Big 12 regrouped and strengthened, while the Pac 12 fell apart.
Now with upgraded facilities, an enhanced fan base and improved resources, Colorado is in a good place. George will remain at Colorado in an advisory and âemeritusâ role starting next summer.
How this move will impact Sandersâ decision about remaining in Boulder is unclear.
Much like the coaches heâs hired, the role of an athletic director has changed in recent years. The new-school AD has to deal with NIL and the new revenue-sharing plan the NCAA has adopted. That means more time spent raising money than ever before. Itâs a new challenge, and Colorado â which trails most of their rivals in NIL funding â will need to find someone who can fill CU coffers like never before.
Colorado has not announced a timeline for hiring Georgeâs replacement.
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