Tag: Ryan Walters

USA TODAY Sports believes Ryan Walters is a favorite for Buffs’ head job

USA TODAY Sports revealed its early favorite for Colorado’s head job

Which direction will the Colorado Buffaloes go with their next head coach? We examined plenty of different candidates from a ton of other outlets, and we went through a few of our own choices as well.

Now, the Buffs are hiring a search firm after the interest in the job has been more than expected.

One of the more common names and a presumed favorite is Ryan Walters, the defensive coordinator for Illinois.

Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY Sports recently mentioned him as the assistant to watch:

Illinois’ 36-year-old defensive coordinator is the favorite to become the next head coach at Colorado thanks to his work turning the No. 20 Illini into one of the nation’s top units. After holding Minnesota to just 38 passing yards in Saturday’s 26-14 win, Illinois ranks first nationally in yards allowed per game and per play. This defense is the reason why Illinois is in the Top 25 and atop the Big Ten West so soon under coach Bret Bielema.

There is a lot to like about Walters as the new head coach in Boulder, and at this rate, he might be the favorite.

Let’s see if Walters ends up with the job.

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Alex Grinch and one other coordinator are the favorites for the 2022 Broyles Award

Alex Grinch, 6 games into the 2022 season, is one of two leaders in the race for the Broyles Award, given to the best assistant coach in college football. #USC

The Broyles Award is one of the better and more prestigious awards in college football. Nothing matches the hype and attention visited upon the Heisman Trophy, but among all non-Heisman awards, the Broyles is significant for one obvious reason college football fans can readily appreciate: The winner of the award is almost always part of a very successful team.

The Broyles Award, named after legendary former Arkansas coach Frank Broyles, is given to the best assistant coach in college football. This is almost always a coordinator, given the prominence and centrality of coordinators in modern football.

One guy who won the Broyles Award several years ago? Lincoln Riley, who won in 2015 as Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator under Bob Stoops. Riley helped Stoops make the College Football Playoff.

This year, a Riley assistant is in the running for the Broyles Award. We discuss why Alex Grinch is a leading contender, and maybe the favorite, for the award. Find out the identity of the other man who stands most centrally in Grinch’s path, too:

ESPN is high on a former Buff for CU’s head coach job

Former Buff Ryan Walters has been one of the best defensive coordinators in college football

Is anybody else having some fun looking through potential head coach candidates? The new energy around Colorado football is encouraging and I’m trying to stay optimistic that athletic director Rick George will make a strong hire.

As our Tony Cosolo recently discussed, the Buffs must choose whether to bring in an outsider or someone with ties to the program. There are pros and cons to each route but from what I can tell, most fans would prefer a fresh face.

ESPN college football writer Adam Rittenberg gave his take on Colorado’s vacancy and he believes that former Buffs safety Ryan Walters, the current defensive coordinator at Illinois, is a prime option. His Illinois defense is among the nation’s best in scoring and we’ve certainly seen Walters’ name on plenty of candidate lists. The only potential drawback is that Walters is a former Buff, although he hasn’t been at CU since 2009 when he was a student assistant in the secondary.

Here’s what Rittenberg wrote:

Colorado might be hesitant about hiring coaches with direct ties after the struggles under (Jon) Embree and Dorrell, but Walters’ surging stock can’t be ignored. He’s overseeing recruiting, schemes and overall philosophy. George might want more experience but would be foolish not to give Walters an extended look.

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

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

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