CSU football hires Steve Addazio

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Colorado State football announced that Steve Addazio has been hired as the next head football coach.

CFB insider Steven Godfrey was the first to tweet out it would be Addazio and Benjamin Albright did the same shortly after. CSU later confirmed the news with an official announcement.

“I would like to thank President Joyce McConnell and Director of Athletics Joe Parker for the opportunity to lead this football program,” Addazio said in a press release.

“Colorado State University is a world-class institution, and Fort Collins is an incredible city to live in and to be able to recruit to. Our program will be one built on toughness and passion, and we will work tirelessly to develop men of character to return championship-level football back to Colorado State.”

In nine seasons, Addazio has a career record of 57-55 between his stops at Temple and Boston College. In seven seasons leading the Eagles, Addazio went exactly 44-44 and 1-3 in bowl games, though.

Aside from his head coaching experience, Addazio seems like an odd choice for CSU. Considering Joe Parker (A.D.) was open about wanting to reenergize the fans, firing a head coach that went 7-6 three times and was 0-3 in bowl games, only to replace him with someone that went 7-6 four times and was 1-3 in bowl games, is a head-scratcher.

“I am excited to welcome Steve Addazio as our new head football coach and his wife, Kathy, to Fort Collins and Colorado State University,” Parker said in a release.

“Throughout his career, Coach Addazio has been committed to the holistic development of student-athletes and of the programs he has led. He has focused on crafting cultures where his students thrive on the field and in the classroom. We look forward to Coach Addazio leading our football team as we strive to be the preeminent program in the Mountain West.”

According to CSU, Addazio has agreed to a five-year contract, with a base salary of $1.5 million in the first year with a $50,000 increase each year of the contract. The release states that there will be a guaranteed portion of the contract by CSU with Addazio owing a buyout if he voluntarily leaves during the term of the contract. Addazio and the University are finalizing the remaining details of the contract and will make it available once it is completed and signed.

A press conference to formally introduce Addazio is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, inside the Hall of Champions at Canvas Stadium. The event is open to the public and free parking is available along Hughes Way and in the Moby Arena parking lots.