Tag: Gary Harrell

Coach Flea gives update on competition at running back

Coach Flea gave an update on how Colorado’s RBs room is shaking out

Colorado’s roster looks way different than it did at the end of the 2022 season. The running back room has two returnees in Anthony Hankerson and Charlie Offerdahl but also brought in Kentucky transfer Kavosiey Smoke and Houston transfer Alton McCaskill IV, not to mention incoming freshman Dylan Edwards and former Jackson State lead back Sy’veon Wilkerson.

The position is deep early on, and running backs coach Gary “Flea” Harrell admitted it will be a slit workload (h/t Jake Schwanitz of DNVR Buffs). Coach Flea went on to mention that McCaskill is the lead guy right now, which isn’t surprising after seeing how well he played at Houston before suffering an injury. Smoke, Edwards and Hankerson are also right behind, Harrell said.

With quarterback Shedeur Sanders and a flurry of other new weapons on offense, the running back room is as loaded as ever in Boulder, which is a tremendous sign for head coach Deion Sanders and offensive coordinator Sean Lewis.

McCaskill might be on top, but the Buffs could very easily use three or even five backs in this high-octane offense.

Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=26]

Darian Hagan active in helping new-look CU Buffs staff

Now in a new role, Darian Hagan remains a crucial part of Colorado’s program

Although he’s no longer Colorado’s primary running backs coach, Darian Hagan remains active in helping the program under Deion Sanders.

Hagan, who took part in his 300th game at CU last fall, is now an executive director for community engagement and outreach and a football ambassador for the Buffs. His role as an ambassador has even included taking recruits on tours of team facilities.

New Colorado RB coach Gary “Flea” Harrell was asked about Hagan’s impact and said the he has been crucial during a major transitional period for the program (h/t Brian Howell of BuffZone).

“I think he does a good job as far as understanding the Colorado culture,” Harrell said. “He knows what it takes to win and he don’t deviate from that. He don’t accept anything less than that. So, I learn a lot from him as far as understanding what goes on here. He’s well tied in, so I want to always want to make sure he’s connected to pour that into the individuals and then we’re just continuing to grow as a staff in the running back room.”

Looking ahead to next season, Harrell and Hagan have a solid group of running backs in Deion Smith, Anthony Hankerson, Victor Venn, Dylan Edwards, walk-on Charlie Offerdahl and Kentucky transfer commit Kavosiey Smoke.

Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.   

[lawrence-related id=19880,19872,19825]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fc3h5x4enxt6nsr4 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Takeaways from Colorado football’s offensive coaches’ press conference

What were your takeaways from CU’s offensive coaches’ press conference?

On Thursday, the Colorado Buffaloes’ offensive coaching staff met with the media to discuss a wide range of topics, from the personnel at CU to all things Deion Sanders.

Offensive coordinator Sean Lewis was first up at the podium, followed by running backs coach Gary “Flea” Harrell, offensive line coach Bill O’Boyle, wide receivers coach Brett Bartolone and finally, tight ends coach Tim Brewster. In those five names alone, the Buffaloes have scored three former head coaches in what has become quite the staff for Coach Prime.

Expectations have been through the roof with what this staff has done through recruiting, and here is everything you need to know from the press conference:

Colorado football: Offensive coaches speak on new-look Buffs

There was a lot to like from what Colorado’s offensive assistants had to say

With spring football set to start in less than a month, Colorado’s five on-field offensive assistant coaches spoke to the media on Thursday to discuss their first few months in Boulder.

Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Sean Lewis took the podium first, followed by wide receivers coach Brett Bartolone, running backs coach Gary “Flea” Harrell, O-line coach Bill O’Boyle and tight ends coach Tim Brewster. Each talked about their decision to join Deion Sanders in Boulder, coaching philosophies and the plan moving forward for their respective unit.

Together, Coach Prime’s offensive staff certainly didn’t lack energy.

Below are my favorite quotes from each assistant: