After such an amazing turnaround this year, this one hurts …
BREAKING #CU defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt is going to #Oregon as the Ducks new DC gets a 4-year deal, source tells @FoxSports.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 14, 2016
Jim Leavitt, the mastermind behind the Colorado Buffaloes’ defensive improvement, will no longer be a part of “The Rise,” as he’s bolted up to Oregon to help build up their defense.
After finishing as the 87th-ranked defense in the nation in 2015, the Buffs catapulted all the way up to 17th this year, paving the way for Colorado’s run to the Pac-12 Championship.
And if you’re wondering why Leavitt made the move to Oregon, it’s because they were willing to pay him a king’s ransom.
HUGE hire for #Oregon & Willie Taggart. The deal Jim Leavitt gets will make him the highest-paid coordinator in Pac-12 history, per source.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 14, 2016
Obviously, the Buffs weren’t willing to match, and now they’ll have to find a way to adapt and move on.