When Colorado hired Karl Dorrell as head football coach in February, it raised eyebrows across the country.
During CU’s search, Dorrell’s name never came on a candidate list; he has not been a head coach since he was fired from UCLA after the 2007 season; and he has since spent all but one (2014) as an assistant coach in the National Football League.
However, at least two Pac-12 coaches applauded for rent.
During a Pac-12 webinar on Wednesday, Herm Edwards of Arizona State and Chip Kelly of UCLA both had high praise for Dorrell.
“I thought it was a great asset to (CU Athletics Director) Rick George,” said Kelly. “I don’t get the out of the box (perception); I understand that he went out and hired a very good person and I think Karl is going to do very well there.”
Kelly said he is familiar with Dorrell, who was a longtime head coach at UCLA from 2003-07.
“He has an incredible reputation, just like a person,” said Kelly, a 2013-16 coach in the NFL before returning to college football. “He’s a good person. I have never heard anyone say anything negative about Karl. He’s doing well. He holds people accountable; he takes responsibility. He had an incredible reputation as a position coach in the National Football League. ”
Edwards also said that he has known Dorrell for many years. Edwards, an NFL coach from 1992-2008, said he saw Dorrell grow as a coach.
“A man of great character and integrity,” said Edwards. “I saw him as a young coach making progress and going up the food chain to become head coach and all that good stuff and I just saw him working from afar.
“You can’t have a better boy to lead that soccer team.”