The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Colorado State: a football coaching history

Regional Program IV#120 of 138–
See Colorado State’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Sonny Lubick
Peaked at National Program II
Built by
Sonny Lubick
Regional Program III → National Program II (+20.2)
The fall
Steve Fairchild
Regional Program I → Regional Program IV (−11.0)
Right now
Jim Mora
in year 1 — too new to place in Colorado State's history

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)HughesWagnerDavisMullisonLudeArslanianFullerLubickBobo19401960198020002020

Every coach

2026–now
Jim Morashort tenure
0–0
2025–2025
Tyson Summersshort tenure
0–5
2022–now
Jay Norvellcaretaker
Jay Norvell slid Colorado State from Regional Program III to Regional Program IV in 4 seasons.
Regional Program IV
18–26
2020–2021
Steve Addazioshort tenure
4–12
2015–2019
Mike Bobocaretaker
Mike Bobo held Colorado State at Regional Program II for 5 seasons.
Regional Program II
28–35
2012–2014
Jim McElwaincaretaker
Jim McElwain moved Colorado State from Regional Program IV to Regional Program II in 3 seasons.
Regional Program II
22–16
2008–2011
Steve Fairchildcaretaker
Steve Fairchild held Colorado State at Regional Program I for 4 seasons.
−11.0
16–33
1993–2007
Sonny Lubickbuilder
Sonny Lubick raised Colorado State from Regional Program III to National Program II.
+20.2
108–74
1989–1992
Earle Brucecaretaker
Earle Bruce moved Colorado State from Regional Program IV to Regional Program III in 4 seasons.
Regional Program III
22–24
1982–1988
Leon Fullercaretaker
Leon Fuller slid Colorado State from Regional Program III to Regional Program IV in 7 seasons.
Regional Program IV
25–55
1981–1981
Chester Caddasshort tenure
0–6
1973–1981
Sarkis Arslaniancaretaker
Sarkis Arslanian moved Colorado State from Regional Program IV to Regional Program II in 9 seasons.
+10.0
45–47
1970–1972
Jerry Wampflercaretaker
Jerry Wampfler slid Colorado State from Regional Program IV to Regional Program III in 3 seasons.
Regional Program III
8–25
1962–1969
Milo Ludecaretaker
Milo Lude held Colorado State at Regional Program IV for 8 seasons.
Regional Program IV
29–51
1956–1961
Tuffy Mullisoncaretaker
Tuffy Mullison slid Colorado State from Regional Program II to Regional Program III in 6 seasons.
Regional Program III
19–40
1947–1955
Robert Daviscaretaker
Robert Davis moved Colorado State from Regional Program IV to Regional Program II in 9 seasons.
+8.6
54–33
1942–1946
Julius Wagnercaretaker
Julius Wagner held Colorado State at Regional Program IV for 3 seasons.
Regional Program IV
8–15
1936–1941
Harry Hughescaretaker
Harry Hughes held Colorado State at National Program II for 6 seasons.
National Program II
15–29