Colorado is working toward a deal with Karl Dorrell to make him the school’s new head coach, according to multiple reports.
Dorrell served as UCLA’s coach from 2003-07 and compiled a 35-27 record. He also spent six seasons as an assistant coach with the Buffaloes in two separate stints in the 1990s.
Dorrell would replace Mel Tucker, who recently departed to take the Michigan State job. Colorado went 5-7 in Tucker’s lone season.
The 56-year-old Dorrell spent last season as receivers coach of the Miami Dolphins.
Dorrell was fired by UCLA after losing to rival Southern California in the 2007 regular-season finale. He has spent 11 of the past 12 seasons as an NFL assistant coach. The exception was 2014 when he was offensive coordinator at Vanderbilt.
Dorrell was receivers coach at Colorado from 1992-93 and left for a similar position at Arizona State. He returned to Boulder one year later and was offensive coordinator and receivers coach from 1995-98.
Colorado pursued Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian and Air Force coach Troy Calhoun during its search. Bieniemy, a former star running back for the school, and Sarkisian withdrew their names from consideration, according to multiple reports.
Former Wisconsin and Arkansas coach Bret Bielema and Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman were also in the mix, according to reports.
Darrin Chiaverini has been serving as Colorado’s interim coach.
Dorrell played college football at UCLA and had 108 receptions for 1,517 yards and nine touchdowns from 1982-86.
