Colorado Football: Was Karl Dorrell the right hire as head coach?

There’s plenty of work to be done

Karl Dorrell has quite the task in front of him right now. Before he can even worry about the long-term health of the program, he has to first address some pressing issues currently facing both himself and the Buffaloes.

Before he can overly concern himself with the on-field product, Dorrell has to fill out his coaching staff. Dorrell has to find an offensive coordinator, offensive line coach, linebackers coach and defensive line coach.

Jack Barsch of the Ralphie Report put together an outstanding list of possible coordinator hires for the new head coach. The name that stands out is Chad Brown as the linebackers coach. Darian Hagan is coaching running backs and Darrin Chiaverini is coaching the wide receivers. The more qualified former players you can have on the staff the better. Former players have a vested interest in their alma mater’s and tend to know how to sell the program.

On the field, Dorrell has to replace one of the best wide receiver/running back combinations in the Pac-12 in Steven Montez and Laviska Shenault Jr. Replacing Montez might be a more difficult proposition than Shenault. Not only do the Buffs have the speedy KD Nixon coming back for his senior season, but they also return Maurice Bell and several other younger receivers including Shenault’s younger brother Le’Vonte.

The quarterback position is much more open.

Redshirt freshman and three-star recruit Blake Stenstrom — son of former Stanford quarterback Steve Stenstrom — and redshirt sophomore and three-star recruit Tyler Lytle will compete with incoming freshman and three-star recruit Brenden Lewis to replace Steven Montez.

If they want to compete in a division that features Jayden Daniels, Kedon Slovis and Jake Bentley, they have to find the right quarterback.