Jon Embree (Comm’88) has been dismissed as University of Colorado head football coach, athletic director Mike Bohn announced Sunday evening.
Embree took over as the school’s 24th full-time head coach in December 2010, just the third alumni to do so. In two seasons, his teams compiled a 4-21 record. This past fall, CU finished 1-11, which included a 1-8 record in Pac-12 Conference play.
University of Colorado President Bruce Benson, CU-Boulder Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano and Bohn released the following joint statement:
“On Sunday night, we announced the departure of Coach Jon Embree. We firmly believe a change in the leadership in our football program is in the best interests of the University of Colorado, particularly given our goal to compete at the highest levels of the Pac-12 Conference. It was a difficult decision, given Jon Embree’s history with CU, and one we arrived at after considerable deliberation. We appreciate his passion and dedication and wish him the best.
“We strive for excellence in all we do, and the university leadership is committed to doing everything we can to ensure success for our football program, for which we are accountable. We thank you, the entire university community, for your support during this challenging season and call upon you to join us in our efforts for a successful transition and future for the CU football program.”
Bohn will turn his attention immediately to forming a search committee to identify candidates for the coaching vacancy as well as to working with current assistant coaches in aiding in the transition.
Why not fire the AD who made the wrong choice in the first place?
This program has been in decline for almost 2 decades since my arrival
at CU in 1991. Rebuilding must start at the very top. Hire an AD who
is a part of the elite athletic culture of Boulder – the olympic runners, cyclists, skiers,
X-games boarders, climbers, etc. CU’s football team should be recruited to stand alongside
and be a part of this culture. CU’s team should be able to leave every other PAC 12 team
that comes into Folsom on the sidelines begging for oxygen. Make the football team
a true reflection of Colorado’s exceptional fitness and athleticism. This vision is utterly lacking
in the present administration.
Scott Martin
MM1994
As an alumni and supporter of Colorado athletics including football season tickets for 20 years I am completely disgusted with the decision of the University of Colorado to fire Coach Embree after only two years. This is wrong on so many levels, that I am seriously considering not supporting the program until the people who supported this decision are fired or no longer at the University. Coaches are generally given three to five years to judge their their system and recruits. Jon Embree came into a program that was shockingly bad. The current decision means we have lost another recruiting class. If I were a student athlete I would not commit to go to school here because you never know who your head coach is going to be especially in light of the new pathway we are taking as a University (firing a coach after two years). I can not wait to see what “sucker” would come to work for the University given the dishonorable way that you treated Coach Embree and the school’s inability or unwillingness to pay the salaries that come with top tier coaches.
This is a disappointing and shocking decision. It shows a complete lack of vision for the future.
Agreed, a disgusting decision which simultaneously underscores the arrogance and daftness of CU’s athletic management. Even if the football team went winless next season, Bohn has set the program back further by failing to keep his word and allow a good man time to affect change in the program. Who would believe the lip service about commitment Bohn and DiStefano will surely dribble to any coaching prospects? It makes you wonder about the judgement of someone who would. Furthermore, they’ve torpedoed recruiting for the very same reasons.
The arrogance of Bohn is evident in his apparent belief that his lame rational of the programs “trajectory” will be found credible just because of his position. Let’s face it, it’s not hard to imagine wealthy boosters dissatisfied with the past two season using the pressure of money to influence Bohn’s decision. Bohn and Distefano believe they can talk there way out of poor judgement. If CU is going to turn the football program around they need a man of greater integrity to lead the athletic department.
Keep your chin up Jon. I’m sorry you got shafted.
Ben O’Brien
BA 1989
I have to agree that the responsibility for the current sad state of the football program lies squarely on the AD and the administration. The decision to join the Pac-12 was ill-advise, ill-timed, and even ill-tempered given CU’s long relationship with the Big 8/12. CU was not prepared for Pac-12 offenses, for the extensive travel, or for any aspect of this move, it would seem.
There are larger issues, such as whether CU can and will provide a sufficient compensation package to attract top talent. Can recruiting recover from the past two decades of decline? I now live only a 7-hour drive from Boulder and have long thought of bringing my children to campus for a game, but will not do so unless and until real change, top down, is evidenced in the program.
“Shoulder to Shoulder we will fight, fight, fight-fight-fight.
To Benson, DeStepeno and Bohn and all the so-called CU doners, supporters, administrators, alumni, students and ex CU Athletes who support the firing of Coach Jon Embree and staff. When you sang the school fight song, what did the above verse mean to you? I ask you, do you understand the significance of that particular verse in the school fight song? Ask a CU Athlete what that verse means. Ask A CU professor what that verse means. Ask a CU Engineering student what that verse means. Ask Ralphie what that verse means! For anyone pursuing excellence when times are hard and the way looks impossible, do you give up and quit? Not if your “Shoulder to Shoulder you don’t!” When you fired one of our own, you just told Ralphie to stop, turn around and run the opposite way! You undermined the words of this song by selling out one of our own for 30 pieces of silver!!!
I am glad to know I am not alone. I am ashamed of my Alma mater. I feel angry and upset about the way the school has handled this situation. I am completely disgusted that President Benson and Chancellor DeStephano are giving 2.5 MILLION DOLLARS to a inept AD to try again for the third time! What has Mike Bohn done to deserve their confidence? There is no knowledgable person outside of the University giving Bohn any vote of confidence. I would love to know who is a part of this “selection committee”
I’ll tell you what, I wouldn’t believe a thing that guy would tell me. Jon Embree went to bed thinking he was the head coach with work and changes to make and woke up the next day to be fired. I want Bohn replaced before he completely bankrupts and destroys our football program.
I am disappointed coach Embree was fired. He should have been given more than two years to turn around a lack luster twenty year football program. He is a loyal CU alumni, with integrity, who had the loyalty of one of the youngest football teams in the nation. When a team respects their head coach there is something to build upon. Coach Embree had that respect. The administrative “threesome” should hope to find the same following!
I’m still upset with CU when they did not listen to Coach Bill McCartney after he retired. He specifically advised the administration as to who to hire as head coach (Coach Bob Simmons) to move the program to the Higher Level. Was this not Moses handing the mantel to Joshua? (just my illustration) And what did the CU Administration do? The exact opposite and hired Rich Nuehiesal instead. So, as a result of their disobedience, the program suffered tremendously. Didn’t you learn something Bohn, DeStepheno and Benson from what Coach Bill Mac said to do? Now look at your program. Jones is gone to Tennessee. You chose to listen to the nasayers, squawkers and unbelievers, you will suffer. And oh by the way, I’m taking my CU gear to the goodwill. Go Louisville, kick Florida’s ass in the Sugar Bowl.