Colorado University Athletics
Coach Prime and the entire current football team joined former players in front of the new statue honoring Coach Mac
Coach Mac Statue Dedicated on Franklin Field
November 22, 2025 | Football, General
Over 400, Including Coach Prime and the Current Football Team, Attend Emotional Unveiling Event
On a weekend dedicated to celebrating some of the giant figures in Colorado Athletics history, an iconic former football coach stood tallest, as a statue honoring coach Bill McCartney was dedicated on Friday, Nov. 21 on Franklin Field.
The celebration started Thursday night with the induction of the CU Athletics 20th Hall of Fame class, and continued Friday with a special private ceremony involving the McCartney family, Coach Mac's former players, Coach Prime and the current football team, and special guests. Over 400 attended the emotional unveiling event, which was MC'd by Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson, before adjourning to a reception at the BOK Financial Byron White Club.
Speakers included Athletic Director Rick George, Coach Mac's son Mike McCartney, and former player Don DeLuzio who, along with his wife Sheri, were the driving forces behind the statue's creation.
"This statue was two years in the making and while I wish he could be here to celebrate with us, I know Mac's looking down from heaven on all of us and is so happy to see his family, his players, and the current CU football team all gathered together in his honor," said George. "This helps reaffirm that regardless of when we played or were a part of the program, we are united as Buffs- first and forever."
The statue, which stands 8.5 feet tall in total consisting of a bronze statue on a granite base, was designed by Brian Hanlon of Hanlon Sculpture Studios and commemorates McCartney's legendary accomplishments as head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes football team.
"What Rick and everyone did for Coach Mac last night was unbelievable," said Coach Prime at his post-game press conference on Saturday. "The statue is, unbelievable. An unbelievable moment with former players who were under his coaching and just a wonderful, wonderful moment."
Coach Mac, who passed away on January 10 at the age of 84, compiled a 93-55-5 record in 13 years at Colorado, the most wins in school history. He presided over teams that won the Big 8 title three consecutive years (1989-91) and in 1990 led the Buffs to their first football national championship. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and the CU Athletics Hall of Fame, was named Big 8 coach of the year three times and national coach of the year twice.
The inscription on the base of the statue reads:
The statue will stand in perpetuity on Franklin Field, the Buffaloes' primary practice field, where Coach Mac was most at home, teaching young players to be great.
The weekend concludes with a celebration of the Buffaloes who will be making their final appearance at Folsom Field in a Senior Day match-up against Arizona State. Tickets for the game are still available.
The celebration started Thursday night with the induction of the CU Athletics 20th Hall of Fame class, and continued Friday with a special private ceremony involving the McCartney family, Coach Mac's former players, Coach Prime and the current football team, and special guests. Over 400 attended the emotional unveiling event, which was MC'd by Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson, before adjourning to a reception at the BOK Financial Byron White Club.
Speakers included Athletic Director Rick George, Coach Mac's son Mike McCartney, and former player Don DeLuzio who, along with his wife Sheri, were the driving forces behind the statue's creation.
"This statue was two years in the making and while I wish he could be here to celebrate with us, I know Mac's looking down from heaven on all of us and is so happy to see his family, his players, and the current CU football team all gathered together in his honor," said George. "This helps reaffirm that regardless of when we played or were a part of the program, we are united as Buffs- first and forever."
The statue, which stands 8.5 feet tall in total consisting of a bronze statue on a granite base, was designed by Brian Hanlon of Hanlon Sculpture Studios and commemorates McCartney's legendary accomplishments as head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes football team.
"What Rick and everyone did for Coach Mac last night was unbelievable," said Coach Prime at his post-game press conference on Saturday. "The statue is, unbelievable. An unbelievable moment with former players who were under his coaching and just a wonderful, wonderful moment."
Coach Mac, who passed away on January 10 at the age of 84, compiled a 93-55-5 record in 13 years at Colorado, the most wins in school history. He presided over teams that won the Big 8 title three consecutive years (1989-91) and in 1990 led the Buffs to their first football national championship. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and the CU Athletics Hall of Fame, was named Big 8 coach of the year three times and national coach of the year twice.
The inscription on the base of the statue reads:
Bill "Coach Mac" McCartney
Bill McCartney took over the Colorado football program in 1982 and led CU to its first national championship in football in 1990, defeating Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl to secure the title with an 11-1-1 record. His CU teams won three straight Big Eight Conference titles (1989-91). "Mac" was a two-time national coach of the year, inducted into the CU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006, the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013, and retired in 1994 as the winningest football coach in CU history with a 93-55-5 record. He and his wife Lyndi were cherished members of the CU Athletic Department.
"Big Dreams Create the Magic That Stir Men's Souls to Greatness"
Bill McCartney took over the Colorado football program in 1982 and led CU to its first national championship in football in 1990, defeating Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl to secure the title with an 11-1-1 record. His CU teams won three straight Big Eight Conference titles (1989-91). "Mac" was a two-time national coach of the year, inducted into the CU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006, the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013, and retired in 1994 as the winningest football coach in CU history with a 93-55-5 record. He and his wife Lyndi were cherished members of the CU Athletic Department.
"Big Dreams Create the Magic That Stir Men's Souls to Greatness"
The statue will stand in perpetuity on Franklin Field, the Buffaloes' primary practice field, where Coach Mac was most at home, teaching young players to be great.
The weekend concludes with a celebration of the Buffaloes who will be making their final appearance at Folsom Field in a Senior Day match-up against Arizona State. Tickets for the game are still available.
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