Karl Dorrell‘s first Colorado football coaching staff will have a decidedly Mel Tucker feel to it.
Feb. 12, Tucker left Colorado football to take over as the head coach at Michigan State. Eleven days later, Dorrell was the surprise hire as Tucker’s replacement. Dorrell’s first hirings four days his official hiring will actually be retentions as the program announced that four of Tucker’s former assistants will remain as part of the new coaching staff.
Those four are:
- Darrin Chiaverini (wide receivers coach/assistant head coach under Tucker)
- Darian Hagan (running backs coach)
- Brian Michalowski (outside linebackers)
- Tyson Summers (defensive coordinator/safeties)
According to the release from Colorado football, the holdovers’ “exact responsibilities will be determined once the remaining six assistant positions are filled, which Dorrell hopes to conclude sometime early next week.” It’s believed that Chiaverini will serve as Dorrell’s offensive coordinator, although, obviously, that hasn’t yet been confirmed.
“It’s always important if you can maintain some continuity during a coaching change,” the new Colorado football head coach said in a statement. “I’ve been around enough college and professional teams where doing so offers some stability. I had great conversations with all four and while I haven’t determined their exact roles as of yet, I am excited that we share the same goals and vision for the program. I am excited about all four and am looking forward to working with them.”
Both Chiaverini and Hagans have been a part of the Colorado football program for the past four seasons. Both Summers and Michalowski were in their first years in Boulder.
Prior to his departure for East Lansing, Tucker had just completed his first season in Boulder, going 5-7. Since a 10-4 2016 season, the Buffaloes have gone 5-7 each of the past three seasons. That 2016 season is the program’s only winning record since 2005.
