Colorado wide receivers coach Darrin Chiaverini goes one-on-one with CUSportsNation.com to discuss his decision to stick at Colorado, Laviska Shenault, recruiting, and more.
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What were some of the biggest things you learned about yourself as a coach in 2018?
Chiaverini: "I think most importantly, staying true to myself as a play caller. I think when you go through the kind of year that we had -- starting 5-0 and being one of the top offenses -- then having some injuries and struggling down the stretch, what I learned the most was staying true to who I am and not compromising that. When I get my opportunity again, I'll stay true to who I am."
During the time after Mike MacIntyre was fired and before Mel Tucker was hired, what was that time like for you and your family?
Chiaverini: "Obviously, there was uncertainty. Definitely stressful. For me, being at Colorado is not a job. It's very personal to me -- being a former player, someone who played in Folsom, and having my son here, it's definitely personal and close to my heart. I want to see us back on top as much as anybody."
The news breaks that Tucker is the next coach, and then he gets on the job. Walk us through what your first conversations were like with him.
Chiaverini: "We spent the weekend together because we had official visits going. None of us had gotten retained yet. For Coach Tucker, he didn't know any of us. He got to know some of us that he ended up keeping. Being around him, I could tell that he’s a really genuine person. Really down to earth, and I enjoyed being around him. I wanted to stay and be a part of his staff. He’s been really good to me and my family. I’m excited for the opportunity to stay.”
How much did your family have to do with the decision to stay, especially with Curtis being on the team and you being a Buff?
Chiaverini: “It was a combination of that. Also, there’s a lot of players on the team that I recruited, and I want to coach them. It was important for me to stay. There were some other opportunities, but at the end of the day, I’m a Buff, and I want to be here. I want to see us go to a Rose Bowl. I want to see us win a Pac-12 Championship. I want to see us win a national championship. I feel like with Coach Tucker and the new staff, there’s new energy and I’m excited to help him build a national power.
Very rarely does a coach, especially one who is a younger, up-and-coming guy like yourself, want to take any demotions. Can you speak on you going from play caller back to wide receivers coach?
Chiaverini: “Yeah. Obviously, it’s not something you look forward to, but at the end of the day, like I said, I’m a Buff. I want to see our program at the top of college football. And I’ll get my opportunity again when it’s the right fit, but right now, this is where I need to be. Not only for my son, but for the players that I helped bring to our program. I want to see them graduate. You never want to take a demotion, but I wanted to do what I thought was best for me, and what’s best for me is stay here and keep building this program.”
Ross Els and Darian Hagan were retained as well. How big do you think that is for recruiting and the current players on the team to have some of the same coaches around?
Chiaverini: “I think it was important. We signed 17 at the midyear; that’s a high number when you’re in transition. It was good for the guys that signed, and also to have some familiarity with the roster to help the coaches coming in – talk about different personnel and what we can continue to add to the program. Obviously, it was all Coach Tucker’s decision. He sat down with the guys, and I felt like it was a good fit for his staff.”
Is there a different vibe around the office now with a new coaching staff?
Chiaverini: “Whenever there’s transition, there’s new energy – a new sense of rejuvenation within everyone in the building. You can sense that with the players and staff. Coach Tucker has hired some really good people. He knows they’re good coaches, but just being around the new staff, you can tell that they’re good people. They interact with each other very well, and they’re good guys, which is important in this profession. It’s exciting. I’m very appreciative of Coach Tucker for giving me this opportunity to stay and keep building this program so we can win championships together.”
Laviska Shenault is walking around in a boot and a sling. How’s he doing?
Chiaverini: “He had toe surgery and then surgery on his shoulder. He won’t practice in spring but he’ll be cleared for fall camp. There was stuff he had to get cleaned. He’ll be back healthy in the fall and ready to go. He’s a dynamic player so we’re excited to get him back.”
You guys signed one receiver in the early signing period. Can you give us your thoughts on Braedin Huffman-Dixon?
Chiaverini: “He’s got speed man. You can see in his film that he runs by people. I’m excited to work with him and polish his game up. One thing that you can’t coach is speed and he’s got a lot of that. I’m excited to get him here in June and work with him. There are some other guys we’re targeting too to add to the class. Should be a strong finish.”
In Colorado’s recruiting efforts so far under Tucker, it seems the Southeast is more of a priority. I know it’s early, but do you think that will be a continued trend?
Chiaverini: “When you look at some of the coaches’ backgrounds, they have recruiting ties there. That plays into it, whether it’s in Georgia or Louisiana. The coaches have connections there and that creates in-roads in recruiting.”
