Meet The New Hires: Steve Fairchild

2006-2007 - Buffalo Bills Offensive Coordinator
2004-2005 - St. Louis Rams Offensive Coordinator
2003 - St. Louis Rams Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
2001-2002 - Buffalo Bills Running Backs
1997-2000 - Colorado State Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
1993-1996 - Colorado State Quarterbacks
1990-1992 - San Diego State Quarterbacks
1987-1989 - New Mexico Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
1986 - San Diego State Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator
1984-1985 - Ferris State - Offensive Coordinator/QBs/RBs
1982-1983 - San Diego Mesa CC - Offensive Coordinator/QBs/RBs

Forcing out the legendary Sonny Lubick caused an ugly backlash from alums and former players. Ironically, the hiring of Steve Fairchild will bring Colorado State football back to the form they had in the prime years of Lubick (108-74, 6 conference titles, schools first since 1955, 3 top 20 finishes). Fairchild was Lubick's most successful offensive coordinator between 1997 and 2000 and was on the CSU sideline for 5 conference champs and 2 top 20 finishes. Similarly, new defensive coordinator Larry Kerr returns to the same position he served in from 1993 to 2002.

While CSU would have benefited handling the Lubick situation better, a change was needed. His last winning season came in 2003. What may have finally done Lubick in is that attendance at the field bearing his name had dropped to 21,794 in 2008, 88th in the country. Sonny's son, Mark will remain on the staff at CSU.

Fairchild had success during his first stint at CSU and has since sharpened his trade in the NFL. Fairchild's '97 Rams offense scored the most points in school history. Fairchild's three year stint as St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator produced three top 10 offenses. The return of Kerr - who left CSU to take the UCLA defensive coordinator job - should bring the defense back to the level prior to his departure. The 2000 CSU defense finished 31st in the country. His first UCLA defense finished 18th in the country.

Fairchild will right the ship in short order at CSU. However, it will be a challenge for Fairchild to bring things much beyond the height of the Lubick era. A challenge facing Fairchild that Lubick did have is the current strength of the Mountain West. Expect Fairchild to have success at CSU, but don't expect him to start lapping the Bronco Mendenhall's and Joe Glenn's of the Mountain West.