Colorado State Expected to Hire Jim Mora After UConn Breakthrough: Full 2025 Breakdown

Colorado State University is set to make one of the most impactful coaching hires of the 2025 NCAA football cycle: UConn head coach Jim Mora, a seasoned leader with deep college and NFL experience, is expected to become the Rams’ next head football coach.
Multiple outlets — including ESPN, NBC, and The Athletic — confirm that the deal is in its final stages.

This move comes at a transformative moment for Colorado State, which is preparing to join the new Pac-12 Conference in 2026 and aggressively rebuild its football identity after years of inconsistency, losing seasons, and coaching turnover.

Today, we break down why Colorado State is choosing Mora, the numbers behind his UConn turnaround, what this means for the new Pac-12, and why this hire is dominating national college football conversations.

Who Is Jim Mora? A Respected Name Returning to the Power Stage

Jim Mora is no stranger to big programs, pressure, or rebuilding football cultures.

NCAA & NFL Background

• Former UCLA Head Coach (2012–2017)
  • Record: 46-30
  • Two 10-win seasons
  • Four seasons with 8+ wins
• Atlanta Falcons Head Coach
  • 11–5 record in his first season
  • NFC Championship appearance
• Seattle Seahawks Head Coach (2009)
• Nearly 20 years as an NFL assistant
• Son of longtime NFL coach Jim E. Mora

UConn Transformation (2022–2025)

When Mora arrived, UConn was arguably one of the weakest FBS programs:

• 1–11 the year before he arrived
• Only one bowl appearance in 11 seasons

In four years under Mora:

• 9 wins in back-to-back seasons
• Three bowl appearances in four seasons
• 2–1 record vs ACC opponents in 2025
• No losses in regulation during 2025 season

UConn’s dramatic rise made Mora one of the hottest coaching names in the country — and Colorado State pounced before other Power Five openings.

Why Colorado State Wants Jim Mora Now

Colorado State has fired three coaches since 2019:

• Mike Bobo
• Steve Addazio
• Jay Norvell (fired midseason in 2025)

CSU’s new athletic director John Weber has openly stated:

“Colorado State should compete for the College Football Playoff.”

This requires:

• A program builder
• A recruiter with national credibility
• A Power Five-ready strategist
• A coach with NFL-level player development skills

Jim Mora checks every box.

Colorado State’s Pac-12 Move Raises the Stakes

With the restructured Pac-12 returning in 2026, Colorado State is entering a conference rebuilt around:

• Boise State
• San Diego State
• Fresno State
• Colorado State
• Navy (football only)
• Oregon State (still pending realignment discussions)

This makes the program’s timing critical.

Pac-12 Opportunity

CSU believes it can step into a Power Conference spotlight faster than teams entering the Big Ten or SEC.

To do that, it needs:

• Credibility
• Discipline
• Recruiting power
• A unifying football culture

Jim Mora’s résumé positions him as a foundational chess move for CSU in its new era.

UConn Fans React: Pride, Shock, and Disappointment

UConn fans have expressed mixed emotions:

Pride

Turning UConn from a “dead program” into a bowl-caliber team twice over is remarkable.

Shock

Mora had recently hinted at long-term plans at UConn.

Disappointment

Losing a coach with:

• NFL pedigree
• National recruiting ties
• Proven rebuild ability

…is devastating for a program still climbing.

Yet, most analysts agree that Colorado State’s offer — combined with a Power Conference path — was simply too big for Mora to refuse.

Why the Move Makes Sense for Jim Mora

This is not merely a career jump — it’s a strategic masterstroke.

1. Power Conference Return

The new Pac-12 gives Mora Power Five credibility again.

2. One of the Top Stadiums in the G6

Colorado State’s $200 million stadium, opened in 2017, is considered NFL-quality.

3. Better Financial Support

Colorado State’s financial resources dwarf UConn’s.

4. Recruiting Hotbed

Colorado, Texas, and the West are vastly easier to recruit than New England.

5. Career Legacy

A successful CSU rebuild in the Pac-12 could position Mora for:

• A long-term tenure
• A College Football Playoff bid
• A national comeback story

The NFL-Style Factor: Why Mora’s Background Matters

College football is evolving:

• NIL salaries
• Transfer portal freedom
• Roster management
• Strict player development processes
• Analytics-based coaching
• Media pressures

Mora’s career in the NFL gives him an advantage as programs become more professionalized.

His strengths:

• Building systems
• Player psychology
• Staff management
• Scheme versatility
• Defensive acumen
• CEO-style leadership

These are the qualities Colorado State has lacked since Jim McElwain left for Florida.

The Athletic’s Insights: Why Mora Was the Top Western Candidate

According to The Athletic:

• Mora was in serious consideration for other West Coast jobs.
• He already owns property in Idaho.
• Many ADs felt he was the best culturally aligned candidate for the West.

Colorado State moved quickly before those jobs became official openings.

How Quickly Can Mora Turn CSU Around?

If history is a guide:

At UCLA

• 10 wins by Year 2

At UConn

• Bowl game by Year 1
• 9 wins by Year 3

At Colorado State?

Most analysts believe the turnaround could be rapid.

Why:

• Better facilities
• Better recruiting pool
• Higher budget
• Pac-12 platform
• Transfer portal leverage
• Mora’s NFL-style discipline

Projected timeline:

Year	Expectation
2026	6–6 + Bowl eligibility
2027	Pac-12 contender
2028	College Football Playoff dark horse

Impact on Recruiting Immediately

Colorado State expects:

• Better 4-star access
• More California recruits
• Enhanced portal activity
• A pipeline of defensive players
• Renewed quarterback development

Mora’s NFL and UCLA connections are invaluable on the West Coast.

Risks & Questions

Every major hire carries risks:

Will Mora revitalize CSU like UConn?

Likely, but not guaranteed.

Will NIL support match Mora’s coaching ambitions?

CSU must strengthen its collective.

Will the Pac-12 remain stable long-term?

Conference realignment is fluid.

Will Mora stay long-term?

Likely — this job matches his strengths and location preferences.

What This Means for UConn Football

UConn must now find:

• A program builder
• A proven Power Five candidate
• A coach comfortable with limited resources

Possible early candidates include:

• Joe Moorhead
• Sean Lewis
• Tim Beck
• NFL assistants with New England ties

Final Analysis: Why This Hire Is Blowing Up College Football Media

Jim Mora’s shift from a rebuilding UConn program to an ascending Colorado State comes at a pivotal crossroads for college football’s structure.

It matters because:

• CSU wants to contend for the new College Football Playoff
• The Pac-12 desperately needs stability
• UConn is losing its best coach in 20 years
• Mora represents NFL-level expertise returning to a Power role

This is more than a coaching change — it’s a landscape-shaping move.

CONCLUSION: Colorado State Just Landed The Most Important Hire of Its Modern Football Era

Colorado State has struggled for nearly a decade to find its identity.
Hiring Jim Mora signals a dramatic shift:

• Ambition
• Stability
• Competitiveness
• Pac-12 relevance

For the first time in years, Colorado State football has the coach, resources, and conference alignment to chase national relevance — and Jim Mora is the right architect for the job.