By Jordan Long
The Colorado Mesa University Maverick’s football team ended the 2019 year at 6-5 overall and 6-4 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) play. This was a step back from 2018 when they went 7-4 overall and 6-4 in conference play. At the end of the season, Colorado Mesa and Head Coach Russ Martin agreed to part ways.
Martin was hired by Colorado Mesa prior to the 2012 season. The Mavs let go of Joe Ramunno on November 18, 2011. Ramunno was with Colorado Mesa since 1998. He was successful with an overall record of 80-77 while winning 2 RMAC titles. The Mavs went to the playoffs 3 times. Martin had big shoes to fill. Colorado Mesa was hoping Martin would continue the past success and help Colorado Mesa be a contender for the RMAC title.
Martin finished the 2012 year a disappointing 4-7 overall and 4-5 in conference play. In 2015 he finally turned the team around with a 9-2 record and 8-1 in RMAC play. It wasn’t enough for them to reach the playoffs. In 2016 Mesa ended the regular season 9-3 and earned a spot in the Division 2 playoffs. They lost in the 1st- round to Texas A & M Commerce 34-23. They haven’t been back to the playoffs since.
Martin leaves Colorado Mesa with an overall record of 56-33. The Mavs took home 3 RMAC Conference Titles. In the end, Martin didn’t do enough in the last 2 years and Colorado Mesa decided it was time to move on from him.
According to cmumavericks.com, Martin said, “I want to thank President Foster and the administration for the opportunity to serve as the head football coach at Colorado Mesa. I believe we have built something special here and that great days lie ahead for the program.”
Colorado Mesa should have given Martin at least another season. There were 3 games this year that were decided by 10 points or less. If those had gone Colorado Mesa’s way, the record would have been improved and may have saved his job. Martin deserved one more chance to show this year was a fluke. Colorado Mesa had other plans. The only way he would have saved his job is if Colorado Mesa made the playoffs. They aren’t at the level of Colorado School of Mines or CSU-Pueblo at this point.
Colorado Mesa will start looking for a new Head Football coach. There is one they might want to consider and that is bringing back Joe Ramunno. He is coaching high school football for the Palisade High School Bulldogs. Colorado Mesa knows what kind of coach he is.
The problem his Ramunno may not want to go back to a place he was fired from and Colorado Mesa hasn’t shown patience with their football program. Ramunno knows he can build a winning high school program. It is a better job since he is teaching young athletes to play football and has more job security.
Colorado Mesa should find a coach in the next few months. Whoever it is will need 3 or 4 seasons to make them back into a winner. Hopefully, the next coach will make Colorado Mesa a threat to not only win the RMAC conference but earn a playoff birth into the Division 2 playoffs.
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