CSU Hires New Football Coach – Who Is He and What Are People Saying?

In mid-October of 2025, in the middle of Colorado State's football season, Head Coach Jay Norvell was fired after going 2-5 to start the season. When the 2026 season gets underway, the team will have Jim Mora as its 23rd Head Coach in the team's history. Will he be the one to bring back those "heyday" times to Fort Collins like when Sonny Lubick had the helm?

Though seeing a game at Canvas Stadium is a great experience (when the Marching Band gets out there and starts pounding that "Thunder" drum, it gives you chills.) seeing the team struggle is hard for fans. With the 2026 Football season, Colorado State will also be looking to make a good impression, with it being the first season joining the "new" Pac-12 Conference.

READ MORE: What Makes Fort Collins the Better College Town, Over Boulder?

After Jay Norvell's firing, there was speculation on a couple of people to slide into the position, including former Colorado star quarterback Kordell Stewart and Collin Klein (from Kansas State and Texas A&M) who grew up in Loveland. In the end, Jim Mora (most recently Head Coach at UConn) got the call, and accepted the position. Football fans definitely know of Mora; for those that aren't that familiar, let's take a look.

Who is Jim Mora, Taking Over as CSU's Head Coach?

• Age at Hiring: 64
• Yearly Salary from CSU: $2.7 Million.
• College Career: 3 season (Defense) at Washington.
• Several NFL coaching positions 1984-2004 when in 2004 he became Head Coach for the Atlanta Falcons for three seasons.
• One season as Head Coach of the Seattle Seahawks (2009 season.)
• Head Coach for UCLA  for six seasons (2012-2017) going 46-30.
• Head Coach of UConn 2022-2025 going 27-23.

Jim Mora's father Jim E. Mora is famous for being the coach that shouted in disgust, "Playoffs? Playoffs..? Don't talk to me about playoffs.." rant in 2021 when coaching the Colts.

What Are People Saying About the Hiring of Mora for CSU?