As for the next candidate to join others already on the coaching unemployment line, it appears Jon Embree will, for at least another year, avoid the firing squad.
Others on his Colorado coaching staff, however, might not be so lucky.
With a 42-35 loss to Utah in the season finale Friday, the Buffaloes fell to 4-21 in two seasons under Embree. Included in that total is an abysmal 1-11 mark in 2012, the program’s worst winning percentage since a winless season in 1890. The Buffs were also winless at home for the first time since 1920.
Despite the historic futility, Embree said following the latest loss that athletic director Mike Bohn has assured him he will return as CU’s head coach in 2013. The Boulder Daily Camera seemed to concur with Embree’s assessment of his standing, writing that “[a]ll indications from school officials point toward him being retained.” It should be noted that Bohn has yet to come out and say definitively that Embree will return.
Embree did allow, though, that changes could be coming to his staff if he is indeed given a reprieve.
“I want to make sure as I go through this that we’re doing the right things and talking to the right people,” Embree said according to the Denver Post. “I don’t have a deadline, but it’s something I’ll start thinking about and I have been thinking about it.”
If Embree’s assistants will indeed be falling on the sword, there will be myriad candidates.
Entering the game with the Utes, the Buffs were tied for 123rd in the country in scoring offense and 121st in total offense. Unbelievably, they were slightly worse on defense — 124th in scoring and 122nd in yards allowed. There are 124 teams at the FBS level in 2012.
If changes are indeed coming to the staff, the first places to look would be at the two men in charge of those two units, offensive coordinator and former CU star Eric Bieniemy and defensive coordinator Greg Brown.
The former, at least publicly, is not concerned about what fate may lie ahead.
“Whatever is going to happen is going to happen,” Bieniemy said when asked about his future at his alma mater. “You don’t coach this game scared. Everybody is hired to be fired. I’m going to keep working my ass off and being who I am. If they decide to go in a different direction, that’s what we do. I know who I am and I know what I’m about.”
