Former players of the Colorado Buffaloes have paid tribute to their late coach, Bill McCartney, by donating a bronze statue that now stands on the practice field at the university. This statue is positioned in the northeast corner, casting its gaze over the area where the team trains, and is located near Folsom Field.
The 8 1/2-foot statue honors McCartney”s legacy as the most successful coach in Colorado football history, boasting a record of 93 wins, 55 losses, and 5 ties. McCartney led the Buffaloes to their only national championship in 1990. He passed away on January 10 at the age of 84.
The unveiling ceremony took place privately on Friday night, attended by McCartney”s family, former players, and current head coach Deion Sanders. The statue was then displayed to fans on Saturday before the Buffaloes” final home game against Arizona State.
“He had a vision. He could lift you to the heights that you couldn”t lift yourself,” reflected Barry Remington, a former inside linebacker who played under McCartney and was recently inducted into the university”s athletic hall of fame. “He didn”t care if you were a walk-on, starter, four-star, one-star, he just wanted your best effort. He got the most out of everyone that he coached.”
The process of creating the statue has taken some time, led by former players including linebacker Don DeLuzio. The base of the statue is crafted from granite and features an inspirational quote from McCartney: “Big Dreams Create the Magic That Stir Men”s Souls to Greatness.”
In 1990, McCartney guided Colorado to its best season, culminating in an 11-1-1 record and a victory over Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl, a game that secured a split national title with Georgia Tech. Known affectionately as “Coach Mac,” McCartney”s tenure at Colorado spanned from 1982 to 1994, after which he retired early to spend more time with his wife, Lyndi, who passed away in 2013.
After retiring from coaching, McCartney dedicated himself to Promise Keepers, a men”s ministry he founded in 1990 following his conversion from Catholicism. The organization aimed to inspire men to embrace spiritual leadership. However, it became a focal point for political controversy, particularly regarding its stance on LGBTQ+ issues, which sparked protests on college campuses. McCartney stepped down as the leader of Promise Keepers in 2003.
In recognition of his contributions to college football, McCartney was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
