Jim Mora Hired As Next Coach At Colorado State University

Just when you thought the coaching carousel had spun its last, another big name gets plucked from the ride. In a move that sent ripples through the college football world, Colorado State is expected to hire UConn’s Jim Mora as its next head coach. Sources close to the deal confirmed the news on Tuesday, suggesting that the ink will be dry sooner rather than later.

This is a massive get for the Rams and a gut punch for the folks in Storrs. Mora, fresh off leading UConn to back-to-back nine-win seasons for the first time since their glory days in 2007, is trading in his Huskies gear for a trip to the Rockies.

Why This Move Makes Sense For Mora

So, why would Mora leave a program he seemingly resurrected from the dead? For starters, Colorado State is packing its bags and heading to the new-look Pac-12. This move signals a significant step up in competition and, more importantly, a fatter wallet. The school’s new athletic director, John Weber, hasn’t been shy about his ambitions, openly stating that the goal is to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

For a guy like Mora, who has coached at the highest levels—including stints as head coach for the NFL’s Falcons and Seahawks, plus six seasons at UCLA—this is an opportunity to build a powerhouse. He took a UConn program that many thought was destined for the FCS scrap heap and made them not only relevant but genuinely good. This past season, the Huskies finished 9-3, with impressive wins over ACC opponents Duke and Boston College. Their only losses? All in overtime. Talk about being competitive.

What Mora Brings To Colorado State

Colorado State has been a revolving door for coaches lately, cycling through Mike Bobo, Steve Addazio, and Jay Norvell since 2019. The program has been to just one bowl game since 2017, and fans are hungry for a winner. Mora brings a proven track record of turning programs around. At UCLA, he rattled off four seasons with eight or more wins, including two 10-win campaigns. He knows how to recruit, he knows how to build a staff, and he knows how to win.

He didn’t just bring wins to UConn; he brought belief. At a time when the program’s very existence was being questioned, Mora proved that success was possible. He built a formidable offensive line, brought in top-tier quarterback talent like Joe Fagnano, and developed overlooked prospects into stars. That’s the kind of culture and grit Colorado State desperately needs as it steps onto a bigger stage.

The Aftermath For UConn

For UConn, this one stings. Mora was more than a coach; he was a savior. He navigated the treacherous waters of conference realignment, NIL, and the transfer portal with a steady hand. Now, the Huskies are back in the market for a coach, joining a dozen other schools in a frantic end-of-season scramble. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a fanbase that was just starting to taste sustained success again.

But in the wild world of college football, one team’s loss is another’s game-changing gain. For Colorado State, the hiring of Mora is a declaration of intent. The Rams aren’t just joining the Pac-12 to be another face in the crowd; they’re coming to compete. And with a coach like Mora at the helm, they just might have a fighting chance.