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Colorado coaching search: 5 ideal candidates to replace Mike MacIntyre

By Brad Berreman

MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Matt Wells of the Utah State Aggies prepares to enter the field before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 1, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Matt Wells of the Utah State Aggies prepares to enter the field before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 1, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images /

4. Nick Rolovich, Hawaii Head Coach

Rolovich will take Hawaii to its second bowl game in three seasons as head coach this year, as he also brought the run-and-shoot offense back to the island after a hiatus. Quarterback Cole McDonald is sixth in the country in passing yards (3,338) and sixth in passing touchdowns (32), while sitting top-40 in passer rating (147.4; 37th). His primary target, John Ursua, leads the country in receiving touchdowns (16) and is also top-10 in receptions (85; third) and receiving yards (1,309; fourth).

The Warriors are 13th in the country in passing offense (310.3 yards per game), and they’re a top-50 scoring offense (32.2 points per game; 43rd).

Rolovich has deep roots at Hawaii, as a former quarterback and offensive coordinator at the school. But he also had success as offensive coordinator at Nevada from 2012-2015, shifting from pass-focused to run-focused based on where personnel dictated strengths should be.

Rolovich is not being mentioned as a candidate for another job, and he may simply not want to leave Hawaii. But he’s pretty clearly an outside the box thinker, with the decision to bring back the June Jones/Mouse Davis run-and-shoot he learned as a player and assistant coach as proof. Colorado should at least try to gauge Rolovich’s interest in making a move.

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