Colorado State Set to Hire UConn’s Jim Mora as Head Coach

Colorado State University is poised to hire Jim Mora as its new head football coach, according to sources familiar with the situation. The announcement is expected to be made in the coming days, marking a significant shift for the program as it prepares to join the Pac-12 conference.

Mora’s tenure at the University of Connecticut has been notably successful. He recently completed back-to-back nine-win seasons, an achievement the school had not seen since 2007. Under Mora’s leadership, UConn reached three bowl games in four years, a remarkable turnaround considering the program had only participated in one bowl game during the previous eleven years.

The hiring comes after Colorado State dismissed Jay Norvell last month during his fourth season. This decision marked the fourth coaching change for the university since 2019, following the tenures of Mike Bobo and Steve Addazio. The university has struggled to find stability, having only participated in one bowl game since 2017.

Mora brings a wealth of experience to Fort Collins. He has a distinguished coaching record, including six seasons at UCLA, where he led the team to eight or more wins in four of those years. Overall, Mora holds a 73-53 record as a college head coach over ten seasons. His background also includes two stints as an NFL head coach with the Seattle Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons, where he built a robust career that spans nearly two decades as an assistant coach and coordinator in the league.

In the recently concluded 2025 season, UConn posted a 9-3 record, showcasing a strong performance against Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) teams with wins over Duke and Boston College. Notably, the team did not experience any regulation losses, as all three defeats came in overtime. Quarterback Joe Fagnano had an impressive season, finishing with 28 touchdowns and only one interception.

Colorado State’s ambitions are high, particularly with the recent opening of a new stadium that cost over $200 million. New athletic director John Weber has emphasized the goal of positioning the university among the top tier of Group of 5 schools, with aspirations to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

As Colorado State prepares for this new chapter, the hiring of Jim Mora marks a significant opportunity for the program to establish itself as a competitive force in college football.