Former Colorado football coach Bill McCartney, who coached the Buffaloes to their lone national championship season in 1990, died late Friday night, as announced by the program. He was 84 years old.
McCartney battled dementia, according to the announcement. He was diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s in 2016.
The winningest coach in Colorado history, McCartney turned around a program that had won nine games in the previous three years prior to his hiring for the 1982 college football season. He won three consecutive Big Eight championships from 1989-91, including the 1990 season in which the Buffaloes went 11-1-1, won the Orange Bowl vs. Notre Dame and was awarded the AP national championship.
He also coached the program’s first Heisman Trophy winner in running back Rashaan Salaam, who won the award in 1994. Travis Hunter joined Salaam as the program’s only players to win the award in 2024. McCartney finished his Colorado tenure with a 93-55-5 all-time record from 1982-94. He’s one of only 11 with Colorado ties to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, which he joined in 2013.
“Coach Mac touched countless lives with his unwavering faith, boundless compassion, and enduring legacy as a leader, mentor, and advocate for family, community, and faith,” his family said in the Colorado announcement. “As a trailblazer and visionary, his impact was felt both on and off the field, and his spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those he inspired. “While we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the extraordinary life he lived and the love he shared with everyone around him. We are grateful for the outpouring of prayers and support during this time and ask for privacy as we navigate this difficult moment.”
McCartney took over for Chuck Fairbanks, the former Oklahoma and New England Patriots coach who struggled to multiple losing seasons in Boulder. McCartney was then hired after serving as a Michigan assistant from 1974-81.
Colorado athletic director Rick George, who has held the position since 2013, was hired as a recruiting coordinator on McCartney’s staff in 1987. George recently visited McCartney, according to the announcement, as the two remained friends over the years.
“I am very saddened at the passing of Coach Mac,” George said.  “I was fortunate to be able to say goodbye to Coach in person last week.  Coach Mac was an incredible man who taught me about the importance of faith, family and being a good husband, father and grandfather.  He instilled discipline and accountability to all of us who worked and played under his leadership.  The mark that he left on CU football and our athletic department will be hard to replicate.  My thoughts and prayers go out to Mike, Tom, Kristy, Marc and their families.  I have many fond memories of Coach Mac and will hold those close to my heart.  God bless Coach Mac.”
Here is a statement from NFF president and CEO Steve Hatchell on the death of McCartney:
“I had so many great personal moments with Bill McCartney,” Hatchell said in a statement. “When I was with the Orange Bowl, it was hard to hide the thrill of hosting my alma mater, and it was all because Mac had CU reaching new heights.
“And what a privilege it was to induct him into the College Football Hall of Fame, he was very humble about it and credited everyone around him. It was always a first-class experience whenever we dealt with him, some truly great moments. We are deeply saddened by his passing, and we will always cherish his immense contributions.”
Here is how the college football world at large reacted to the news of McCartney’s death:

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