Following seven years away from CSU, former quarterback returns

About two weeks after firing coach Sonny Lubick, Colorado State hired one of Lubick's protégés.

Steve Fairchild will become the Rams' 19th coach, the school announced Wednesday. Fairchild played at Colorado State, his best season coming in 1980, and coached at CSU from 1993-2000.

Colorado State has scheduled a news conference at 3 p.m. today to formally announce the hiring, but Fairchild will not attend, speaking with media by way of a teleconference. The offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, Fairchild will remain with the Bills until the season ends.

Once the Bills' season is complete, Fairchild will travel to Fort Collins for an introductory news conference. The Bills are 7-6 and in pursuit of a wild card spot in the AFC playoffs. They play a crucial game Sunday at Cleveland.

"I am honored by the opportunity to return to Colorado State University as head coach," Fairchild said in a statement. "This is an exciting time for my family, as well as myself, and I want to thank CSU President Larry Edward Penley and Director of Athletics Paul Kowalczyk."

Kowalczyk conducted a private search, staying under the radar and away from media contact until releasing the announcement Wednesday. He will address the media at the press conference today.

It was speculated to involve Southern Illinois coach Jerry Kill, Louisville assistant Tony Alford and Montana coach Bobby Hauck.

Kowalczyk was not available for comment Wednesday but issued comments in the release announcing the hiring.

The statement said Kowalczyk was impressed with Fairchild's past with Colorado State.

Fairchild, however, has begun putting together a staff already. Larry Kerr, who served as CSU's defensive coordinator from 1993-2002, will return to coach under Fairchild. Kerr will serve as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. Marc Lubick, who has been the Rams' wide receivers coach since 2005, will remain on staff, and director of football operations Tom Ehlers will remain as well.

Fairchild, a 49-year-old native of Decatur, Ill., takes over a program in need of a boost after going 17-30 during the past four seasons. Despite playing with 22 seniors, Lubick was fired after a 3-9 season, which included losses in the first six games. Lubick coached the team for 15 seasons.

Fairchild was, however, a member of Lubick's charter staff, serving as the quarterbacks coach from 1993-96. He is credited with the development of quarterbacks Anthony Hill, Moses Moreno and Matt Newton. He is also is credited with the recruitment of Justin Holland.

"At both the professional and college levels, he has had a reputation of developing young players and helping them reach their maximum potential," Kowalczyk said in the release. "That is an attractive trait in our program."

The quarterback position represents a question mark for the Rams this season after Caleb Hanie completed his eligibility. Billy Farris played little before injuring his elbow last season.

While a coach at CSU, the Rams consistently ranked among the offensive leaders in the conference. They scored a school record 442 points and 59 touchdowns in 1997, his first season as offensive coordinator. During his time as the offensive coordinator, the Rams went 37-12 with three bowl games.

For the 2001 season, he began his first stint with the Bills as a running backs coach. He upgraded in 2003 for a stint as the St. Louis Rams' offensive coordinator before returning to the Bills last season.

His first experiences in Fort Collins came in 1978 as a junior college transfer from San Diego Mesa Community College. As the full-time starter in 1980, Fairchild helped the Rams to a 6-4-1 mark.

Fairchild is responsible for the fifth-highest passing yardage in a game. He threw for 406 yards in against Wyoming in 1980. He also threw for 300-plus against Arizona, Air Force and West Virginia in the 1980 season. He finished 1980 with 2,578 yards passing.

Fairchild bio

Coaching history

Buffalo Bills 2006-07, offensive coordinator

St. Louis Rams 2003-05, quarterbacks, offensive coordinator

Buffalo Bills 2001-02, running backs

Colorado State 1993-2000, quarterbacks, offensive coordinator

San Diego State 1990-02, quarterbacks

New Mexico 1987-89, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks

San Diego State 1986, tight ends, recruiting coordinator

Ferris State 1984-85, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks, running backs

San Diego Mesa Community College 1982-83, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks, running backs

Source: S. Scott Rosenberg