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Fort Collins is buzzing with anticipation as sources close to the Colorado State Rams program indicate that UConn’s highly successful head coach, Jim Mora, is expected to be named the school’s next leader. A deal is reportedly imminent, aiming to bring Mora’s winning ways to the Front Range.
Mora arrives after an impressive tenure at UConn, where he revitalized a program that hadn’t seen a nine-win football season since 2007. Under his guidance, the Huskies achieved back-to-back nine-win seasons and made three bowl appearances in his four years-a significant turnaround for a team that had only one bowl game in the preceding eleven years. His 2025 UConn squad, finishing 9-3, notably defeated ACC powerhouses Duke and Boston College, with all three of their losses coming in overtime, showcasing a resilient team led by quarterback Joe Fagnano’s stellar 28-touchdown, one-interception season.
This move comes at a pivotal time for Colorado State, as the school prepares to join the Pac-12. New Athletic Director John Weber has been vocal about his ambition for Colorado State to be a financial leader among Group of 5 schools, and Mora’s appointment signals a strong commitment to that vision.
Mora will be the Rams’ fourth head coach since 2019, following Mike Bobo, Steve Addazio, and Jay Norvell, who was dismissed midway through his fourth season last month. The program has made only one bowl appearance since 2017, highlighting the need for stability and renewed success.
Mora brings a wealth of experience to Fort Collins, including a six-season stint as head coach at UCLA, where he guided the Bruins to eight or more wins in four of those years. His overall college coaching record stands at an impressive 73-53 across 10 seasons. Beyond the collegiate ranks, Mora boasts nearly two decades of experience on NFL staffs as an assistant and coordinator, culminating in head coaching roles for the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks.
With Colorado State’s state-of-the-art, $200 million stadium, opened in 2017, and Weber’s stated goal for the Rams to compete for the College Football Playoff, the stage is set for Mora to usher in a new era of competitive football in Fort Collins.