Ex-Bruin Neuheisel Reportedly to Become Colorado’s Coach

Colorado quarterbacks coach and former UCLA star Rick Neuheisel, recalled from a California recruiting trip, appears the likely replacement for Coach Bill McCartney, a Denver television station reported Monday.

Dick Neuheisel, the assistant coach’s father, told KUSA-TV by telephone from Tempe, Ariz., that his son was called Monday and told “he should get back to Boulder as quickly as he could and meet with the Board of Regents because he would probably be the new head coach.”

The school’s Board of Regents called a meeting for 7:30 p.m. Monday, but spokesman David Plati would not confirm whether Neuheisel would be named the Buffaloes’ new coach.

The committee consists of athletic director Bill Marolt, president Judith Albino and chancellor Roderic Park. Marolt is expected to present two candidates to the board of regents at the meeting, according to newspaper reports.

The Rocky Mountain News, citing unidentified sources close to the search, said Neuheisel’s bid to replace McCartney, who announced his resignation Nov. 19, has gained momentum since an interview last Wednesday. The other leading candidate is offensive coordinator Elliot Uzelac, the paper said.

Marolt denied Sunday Neuheisel and Uzelac are finalists and called such a development very premature.

Bob Simmons, assistant head coach and defensive line coach, also is a candidate along with defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz.