FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) -Colorado State University has offered football coach Sonny Lubick a job as an associate athletic director but school officials stopped short of saying he has been fired or has resigned.
Lubick, who has two years remaining on his coaching contract, is 108-74 in 15 seasons at Colorado State and led the Rams to nine bowl games. But they have had losing records three out of the past four seasons and finished 3-9 this year after beating Wyoming on Friday.
University president Larry Penley said the school and Lubick are in “retirement negotiations.” He said students, boosters and alumni have become frustrated with the program’s performance.
Penley and athletic director Paul Kowalczyk said in written statements they wanted Lubick to remain with the school in some capacity. Kowalczyk said if Lubick accepts a job as senior associate athletic director, he would focus on fundraising and function as a “goodwill ambassador.”
Kowalczyk said the school has offered to pay Lubick his base coaching salary for the remainder of his contract. Lubick is paid an estimated $530,000 annually but it was not immediately clear how much of that is his base.
Kowalczyk also said Lubick’s assistants would be paid for the next three months or until they find other jobs.
Penley “has made it very clear that Sonny Lubick will always have a place at Colorado State University,” Kowalczyk said.
“Sonny’s reputation, record and service to CSU have clearly earned that. Any discussions we’re having at this point are focused on his plans and what he’d like to do in the next phase of a very distinguished career.”
Kowalczyk canceled a news conference scheduled for Monday afternoon, but the school said Kowalczyk and Lubick would meet with reporters on Tuesday.
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