Top 5 Replacements for Karl Dorrell

Who will take over the Colorado Buffaloes?

Author:
Matt Perkins
Publish date:
Oct 2, 2022

Who will take over the Colorado Buffaloes?

With the announcement that the Colorado Buffaloes have fired Karl Dorrell after an 0-5 start, it's never too soon to speculate on who the next head coach will be. Here are my top five candidates.

Bryan Harsin

Head Coach, Auburn

This is obviously conditional on his firing from Auburn, but that seems like a formality at this point. He saw his most success at Boise State, is originally from the area (born and raised in Boise), and has many ties to the mountain west. He's a great fit.

Auburn Tigers head coach Bryan Harsin as the Auburn Tigers take on the Penn State Nittany Lions at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.
© Jake Crandall / Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jim Leonhard

Defensive Coordinator, Wisconsin

The 10-year NFL vet's name is going to come up in a lot of conversations for open jobs, and for good reason. The Badgers have had a top-5 nationally ranked defense in three of his four full seasons as defensive coordinator at his alma mater. He's a young, brilliant defensive mind that reminds me a lot of Dave Aranda.

Wisconsin safeties Collin Wilder (18) and Tyler Mais work with defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard at practice Friday, August 13, 2021, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.
© Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Scroll to Continue

Jeff Traylor

Head Coach, UTSA

Another name that has popped up a lot recently, Traylor has turned UTSA into a legit power in Conference USA. He's got an effective offensive system and some of the best ties to Texas high schools in the country which should help with recruiting. He'd be a home run, but I think it's going to take a lot to get him out of the state of Texas.

Sep 10, 2022; West Point, New York, USA; UTSA Roadrunners head coach Jeff Traylor celebrates a win against the Army Black Knights at Michie Stadium.
© Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Entz

HC, North Dakota State

We've seen former NDSU coach Chris Klieman have a lot of success so far during his time at Kansas State, and you could imagine a similar scenario happening with Entz at Colorado. Building a more physical brand of football could also help offset some of the Buffaloes deficiencies at the skill positions as well. He's won two national titles in three full seasons, and has the Bison rolling again this season.

Jan 8, 2022; Frisco, TX, USA; North Dakota State Bison head coach Matt Entz holds up the championship trophy as the North Dakota State Bison team celebrates the win over the Montana State Bobcats in the FCS Championship at Toyota Stadium.
© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Graham Harrell

OC, WVU

If the Buffs want to go the completely opposite way and get someone who wants to air it out all the time, Harrell might be a good answer. He's had experience coaching in the conference with stops at both USC and Washington State, and has the all-important ties to Texas for recruiting. They could do a lot worse than the former Texas Tech and Packers QB.