Times tough for CSU’s Lubick

This is not the type of attention Lubick wants.

He would rather his Rams, who play at UNLV at 6 p.m. Saturday, garner publicity for winning games, but Lubick considering retirement is hardly an insignificant footnote.

"With all due respect, I can’t believe people are getting so darn excited," Lubick said about the speculation on his future. "I’ll talk to a lot of people at the end of the season."

This has been far from a typical Lubick season.

Colorado State’s downfall arguably began late in the 2002 season when the Rebels stunned the then-No. 16 Rams, 36-33. CSU then lost to Texas Christian 17-3 in the Liberty Bowl to finish 10-4.

A 7-6 record followed in 2003, and the Rams (0-6, 0-3 Mountain West Conference) have not posted a winning season since then. Their last victory was 28-7 over UNLV on Oct. 7, 2006. Now they are in the midst of a 13-game losing streak, second longest nationally to Florida International’s 18-game skid.

It’s been a startling slide, especially considering that Colorado State looked as if it could have had a much different season. Over their first three games, the Rams led late against Colorado and Houston, and gave California a scare.

"We’ve had so many close games," Rams safety and Reno native Zac Bryson said. "In my opinion, we haven’t put together four quarters of football. One game, the offense will do it. One game, the defense will do it."

Lubick’s players speak highly of the 70-year-old coach despite the tough losses.

Rams wide receiver Luke Roberts said Lubick constantly impresses players by visiting each position meeting.

"Not many coaches go to every meeting," Roberts said. "He cares about every kid."

Lubick is beloved beyond his team. The field at Hughes Stadium was named after him, an honor for turning around one of the nation’s more beleaguered programs.

Before he arrived, Colorado State had won 47 games over the previous 11 seasons. By Lubick’s second season, in 1994, the Rams were 10-2 and Western Athletic Conference champions.

That began a run of at least a share of the WAC or Mountain West title in six of nine years and a string of 10 consecutive winning seasons.

"There is no coach I respect more in the country than Sonny Lubick," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "He’s the dean of Mountain West coaches. It’s unfortunate they’re going through the tough times they’re going through right now, but in no way, shape or form do I feel this should mar his career or take away anything he’s done as a coach."

Lubick admitted he would prefer to go out on a much higher note.

"We’ve all said the wins stay with you one evening and the losses a little longer," Lubick said. "You can’t let it affect you because you’ve got to move on to the next football game."

If this is indeed the end of his coaching career at CSU, Lubick will be remembered for revitalizing the Front Range school’s football program.

"I think he’s one of the great coaches of all time, and obviously he’s been a great coach in our league," New Mexico coach Rocky Long said. "I know the coaching profession would miss Sonny if he decided it was time to go, but I sure hope he doesn’t."

• UNLV NOTES — Defensive end Matt Seccombe, a Cimarron-Memorial High School product, will not play because of an illness. … Quarterbacks Travis Dixon and Omar Clayton have shared first-team snaps this week in practice, and Rebels coach Mike Sanford said the starter will be named on Saturday.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2914.