Mike Bobo Resigns as Head Football Coach at Colorado State

Yesterday, Mike Bobo resigned as Colorado State's head football coach after five seasons at the helm of the Rams football program, the last ending at 4-8.  Here is a look at the Colorado State Rams football team since 2008; under three head coaches - Fairchild (2008-2011); McElwain (2012-2014) and Bobo (2015-2019).  As you will notice, Colorado State had some above average seasons in 2013 & 2014 and 2016 & 2017, but slipped in 2018 and rebounded some this season, but not enough for Bobo to be retained.

Below is the Colorado State Rams production rank (total, offense, defense, and the average and worst teams) since 2008 using the Complex Invasion College Football Production Model from the data provided from www.cfbstats.com, as well as lines for head coaching terms ending.  More details about the program under Bobo is provided below; including a link to his original contract.

Mike Bobo [2015-2019]

2015
At the end of Coach Bobo's first season with the Rams, they team finished the regular season at 7-5 and were bowl eligible, where they played #67 ranked Nevada and were defeated (23-28) to finish overall at 7-6.  The Rams played against an “average” strength of schedule (SOS), meaning that the Rams SOS was plus or minus one standard deviation of the "league" SOS  Colorado State's best regular season victory against #37 ranked Air Force by a score of (38-23) and their worst loss was to in-state rival #87 ranked Colorado by a score of (24-27).  The Rams finished the season as the #73 ranked team overall, with the #63 ranked offense and the #68 ranked defense using the Complex Invasion College Football Production Model from the data provided from www.cfbstats.com.

2016
At the end of the second season under head coach Bobo, the Rams again finished the regular season at 7-5, and were bowl eligible where they were defeated by #80 ranked Idaho by a score of (50-61); again finishing overall at 7-6.  The Rams played against an “average” strength of schedule (SOS).  Colorado State's best regular season victory against #6 ranked San Diego State by a score of (63-31) and their worst loss was to their biggest conference rival #86 ranked Wyoming by a score of (17-38).  Colorado State finished the season as the #49 ranked team overall, with the #23 ranked offense and the #85 ranked defense using the Complex Invasion College Football Production Model from the data provided from www.cfbstats.com.

2017
The Rams again finished the regular season at 7-5 and were bowl eligible where they played #63 ranked Marshall and again lost their bowl game by a score of (28-31). The Rams played against an “easier” strength of schedule (SOS), meaning that Colorado State's SOS was between one and two standard deviations higher than the "league" average SOS.  Colorado State's best regular season victory against #62 ranked Utah State by a score of (27-14) and the Rams worst loss was to #88 ranked in-state rival Colorado by a score of (3-17).  The Rams finished the season as the #45 ranked team overall, with the #17 ranked offense and the #92 ranked defense using the Complex Invasion College Football Production Model from the data provided from www.cfbstats.com.

2018
Colorado State finished the regular season at 3-9, where they played against an “average” strength of schedule.  Colorado State's best regular season victory against #115 ranked New Mexico by a score of (20-18); yes- their other two victories were against teams in the bottom 10%.  The Rams worst loss was to FCS Illinois State by a score of (19-35).  Colorado State finished the season as the #116 ranked team overall, with the #107 ranked offense and the #113 ranked defense using the Complex Invasion College Football Production Model from the data provided from www.cfbstats.com.
On a different note, it is interesting that coach Bobo declined the $100,000 raise that was contractually due after this season.

2019*
At the conclusion of the regular season, head football coach Mike Bobo resigned after going 4-8 (and bowl ineligible) even by playing against an “easier” strength of schedule.  Colorado State's best victory was against currently ranked #80 Fresno State by a score of (41-31) and their worst loss was to currently ranked #122 Arkansas by a score of (34-55).  Colorado State's current production rankings are:  #87 team overall, with the #77 offense and the #91 defense using the Complex Invasion College Football Production Model from the data provided from www.cfbstats.com.

Previous FBS Head Coaching Changes in 2019
Rutgers and Chris Ash
Florida State and Willie Taggart
Arkansas and Chad Morris
UNLV and Tony Sanchez
New Mexico and Bob Davie
Missouri and Barry Odom
UTSA and Frank Wilson
South Florida and Charlie Strong
Boston College and Steve Addazio
Mississippi and Matt Luke
Washington and Chris Petersen
Old Dominion and Bobby Wilder