Colorado State University Athletics
Parker Begins Search for Next Head Football Coach
12/2/2021 4:32:00 PM | Football, Ram Club
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – In a small window of time Thursday, Colorado State Director of Athletics Joe Parker had to pivot from looking back to moving forward.
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In the morning, Parker announced Steve Addazio would not be retained. Immediately after meeting with the team for 30 minutes to discuss the decision with them, he was tasked to look for the next leader of the Rams, the 24th in program history.
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The football team went 3-9 this season, leaving it 4-12 in Addazio's tenure. The Rams dropped their final six decisions, and in the final game, Addazio was ejected. Parker said there was not one thing – and specifically not the ejection – which led him to make a change, but it was the entirety of what transpired over those two years.
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"These are difficult decisions. They land with impact, they have influence over people's lives, so there's weight with them," Parker said. "As I had a chance to survey the season and the two years in which Coach Addazio provided leadership for our program, there are obviously things I felt really good about. Steve and his staff really have delivered an effort to reshape the culture of our program, but ultimately, it's about winning and showing progress on the field. Unfortunately, certainly in the second half of the season, we simply didn't see that."
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The university has established an internal search committee, but it was also employ help from Collegiate Sports Associates, led by Todd Turner, to help with the process. Parker said he has not worked with the firm before, but he has worked with Turner, and his group has already helped lead four coaching searches this season.
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They will help narrow down the initial candidate pool -- which is growing by the hour based on the messages Parker has received showing interest in the position. Turner's group will also help vet every candidate and set up interviews, but the final decision on the Rams' next head coach will be made on campus, Parker said.
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In the previous search, Parker focused on head coaching and Autonomous 5 experience, but this time he will approach the search more open minded to other factors and strengths. Primary among them is someone who will continue to build upon the team culture with a focus on the overall development of the student-athletes.
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"My expectations are we find a leader who can really engage with our students. I look back on what they've been able to do in the last two years, fighting through an awful lot of adversity," Parker said. "I want someone who will come in and appreciate who they are, as players, as students, and really find a way to connect with them. As I say that, I think that can be summed up as somebody who is an educator, the type of profile we look for every time we're seeking coaching talent. I want someone who will be really focused on them as students and really be able to propel our program forward and understands the expectations that we want to win here at Colorado State, and win at a level which we earn championships."
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Parker has already scheduled meetings with individual players and smaller groups on the team to continue to listen to their input about the program moving forward. He has asked them to show patience and remain focused on Colorado State as the search takes shape.
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The early signing period begins Dec. 15, and it is Parker's hope to have a new leader in place for them before that date.
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"Time is of the essence always in these searches," he said. "As I look at where we are right now to where I'd like to be, I think we can accomplish the search and I think we can successful within seven-to-10 days, and hopefully even sooner."
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In the morning, Parker announced Steve Addazio would not be retained. Immediately after meeting with the team for 30 minutes to discuss the decision with them, he was tasked to look for the next leader of the Rams, the 24th in program history.
Â
The football team went 3-9 this season, leaving it 4-12 in Addazio's tenure. The Rams dropped their final six decisions, and in the final game, Addazio was ejected. Parker said there was not one thing – and specifically not the ejection – which led him to make a change, but it was the entirety of what transpired over those two years.
Â
"These are difficult decisions. They land with impact, they have influence over people's lives, so there's weight with them," Parker said. "As I had a chance to survey the season and the two years in which Coach Addazio provided leadership for our program, there are obviously things I felt really good about. Steve and his staff really have delivered an effort to reshape the culture of our program, but ultimately, it's about winning and showing progress on the field. Unfortunately, certainly in the second half of the season, we simply didn't see that."
Â
The university has established an internal search committee, but it was also employ help from Collegiate Sports Associates, led by Todd Turner, to help with the process. Parker said he has not worked with the firm before, but he has worked with Turner, and his group has already helped lead four coaching searches this season.
Â
They will help narrow down the initial candidate pool -- which is growing by the hour based on the messages Parker has received showing interest in the position. Turner's group will also help vet every candidate and set up interviews, but the final decision on the Rams' next head coach will be made on campus, Parker said.
Â
In the previous search, Parker focused on head coaching and Autonomous 5 experience, but this time he will approach the search more open minded to other factors and strengths. Primary among them is someone who will continue to build upon the team culture with a focus on the overall development of the student-athletes.
Â
"My expectations are we find a leader who can really engage with our students. I look back on what they've been able to do in the last two years, fighting through an awful lot of adversity," Parker said. "I want someone who will come in and appreciate who they are, as players, as students, and really find a way to connect with them. As I say that, I think that can be summed up as somebody who is an educator, the type of profile we look for every time we're seeking coaching talent. I want someone who will be really focused on them as students and really be able to propel our program forward and understands the expectations that we want to win here at Colorado State, and win at a level which we earn championships."
Â
Parker has already scheduled meetings with individual players and smaller groups on the team to continue to listen to their input about the program moving forward. He has asked them to show patience and remain focused on Colorado State as the search takes shape.
Â
The early signing period begins Dec. 15, and it is Parker's hope to have a new leader in place for them before that date.
Â
"Time is of the essence always in these searches," he said. "As I look at where we are right now to where I'd like to be, I think we can accomplish the search and I think we can successful within seven-to-10 days, and hopefully even sooner."
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