Colorado named assistant coach Darrin Chiaverini as its interim football coach. He’ll take over for Mel Tucker, who officially was named head coach at Michigan State on Wednesday.
Chiaverini, 42, was the Buffaloes’ wide receivers coach the past four seasons, and in 2019, doubled as assistant head coach. He was a wide receiver at Colorado from 1995-98.
“I have a lot of confidence in Darrin to lead us through this interim period,” Colorado athletic director Rick George said in a statement. “He has been associated with the program beginning with his playing days 25 years ago and cares deeply about the Buffs.”
Known as a prolific recruiter – he was named one of the top recruiters in the nation by Rivals.com for the past three recruiting classes – Chiaverini sent a message to the players via Twitter on Wednesday.
“Came to Boulder Colorado when I was 17 years old!! There is not a better University in the country than the University of Colorado!! We are building something Buff Nation will be proud of!! To our 2020 class and our current players stand Shoulder to Shoulder and know we’re Rising,” he wrote.
In an earlier news release, George said a search for a permanent coach would begin immediately. His search is expected to include Eric Bieniemy, the offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs who also is Colorado’s all-time leading rusher.
Chiaverini was a fifth-round selection by the Cleveland Browns in the 1999 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons in the league, also playing for the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons.
