Bill McCartney, Legendary Colorado Coach of 1990 National Championship Team, Dies at 84

Jan 11, 2025, 05:46 AM

Bill McCartney, the legendary head football coach of the University of Colorado, passed away at the age of 84 on Friday night after a long illness. McCartney, who coached the Colorado Buffaloes from 1982 to 1994, led the team to its only national football championship in 1990. He was known for his significant impact on the program, achieving a record of 93-55-5 during his tenure and guiding the team to three Big Eight Conference titles. McCartney's family announced that he died after a courageous journey with dementia. His legacy extends beyond football, as he co-founded the Christian organization 'Promise Keepers' after retiring from coaching. He was inducted into both the CU Athletics Hall of Fame and the Colorado Football Hall of Fame, and coached 1994 Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam.