Bad times have already been rolling in Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes. The Buffs are still struggling with their Alamo Bowl loss against the BYU Cougars. That’s when another sad news comes for Deion’s squad. Now this is an irreparable loss for the Buffs fam who lost their coaching great Bill McCartney. The CU Football Hall of Fame coach passed away on January 10 at the age of 84. Affectionately known as Mac, he made a huge contribution to Colorado’s history as he led the program to great heights. Like all other Buffs fans, it is a personal loss for Deion Sanders who was there beside the legendary coach during his tough times. The fans started to pour in their tributes to the legend.  

Indeed, a dark day for the Colorado Buffaloes fam. McCartney’s family released a statement on Friday stating that the coach died “after a courageous journey with dementia.” Now that’s some irreparable loss. After all, it was McCartney who led Colorado to its best season in 1990. Under his reign, the Buffaloes finished 11-1-1 and defeated Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl to clinch the national title. In that very season under McCartney, Colorado also scored the winning touchdown on a “fifth down” at Missouri. He coached the Buffaloes from 1982 to 1994. But Deion’s program remembers him to this day for his immense contribution. The program paid their tribute on IG where they wrote, “A legend of the game. A legacy that will live forever. Rest in Peace, Coach Mac.”

During his twelve-year span in Boulder, he coached Colorado to three Big Eight titles. Not just this, the Buffs were crowned as national champions by the Associated Press in 1990. It was much later that McCartney was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach. Back in 2016, he had been diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Over the years, Deion has been there beside him as a pillar of strength.

Only Buffs fans know how Deion shares a lot of things in common with McCartney- their strong faith, an ability to recruit, and a passion for taking young men under their wing. He ensured carry on the tradition that McCartney started. For instance, the legend has been too serious about their rivalry against Nebraska. So much so, that he banned red in the football building. Deion still follows it to the T. That’s how important the Hall of Famer has been to the Buffaloes as the fans mourn the loss.

Fans mourn the loss of legend Bill McCartney 

How could Colorado’s fan base ever forget McCartney? After all, he led Colorado to its first and only national championship victory in 1990. That’s how he has been and always be an indispensable part of the program. So, a fan now wants to celebrate his legacy by setting up a statue at Colorado’s home ground, Folsom Field. “He was Colorado Football… he needs a statue at foldom!,” the fan suggested.

The legend ranks No. 1 on the Buffaloes’ all-time wins list as well as No. 1 on their all-time games-coached leaderboard. In this way, he brought the Buffaloes program to prominence as another fan wrote, “😢 The goat the legend! Rest in paradise coach! You put Colorado on the map! Legends never die!” Even beyond football, McCartney spread his magic. He left Colorado to found the Promise Keepers movement.  “Mac was the man. RIP, you left ur mark,” commented an ardent follower.

To be with his wife, Lyndi, McCartney took early retirement. Sadly, she passed away in 2013. Finally, he will get the chance to meet his ladylove as a fan wrote, “Now you will be with your dear sweet Lindy! Rest well Coach! You are and will always be Colorado football. #GoBuffs.” This came as a huge blow as one of the fans shared how he felt on receiving the sad news, “My heart stopped for just a moment when I saw this. RIP, Coach. Godspeed. 🕊️” Bill McCartney’s absence thus has dimmed the guiding light of the Buffaloes, leaving a significant void.