Sonny Lubick is an icon in Fort Collins, Colorado. The football field at Colorado State University has been in his name at two different stadiums. His first stint at CSU was as an offensive coordinator under Leon Fuller in the early 80's after he was fired from Montana State. He left Fort Collins then when Jack Elway asked him to be on his coaching staff at Stanford. That lasted until Jack and his staff were fired after the 1988 season. From there he joined Dennis Erickson's staff in Washington State for a few weeks before Erickson took the head coaching job at the University of Miami. Sonny followed and was part of two National Championships with the Hurricanes.

He became CSU's head coach in 1993 where he guided the Rams to 6 conference titles and 9 bowl games. Everybody loved (and still loves) Sonny. On November 26, 2007, CSU beat Wyoming and it was Sonny's last game coaching the Rams. Fans at the game didn't know their favorite coach was being fired, but Sonny, his coaches and a few others (including the host of this podcast) did. His firing was made official a few days later.

In Part Two, we start in 1993 and dive into his 15 years as the Rams head coach, his stunning firing and the new paths his life has taken since.

Hosted by Susie Wargin

Sonny Lubick is an icon in Fort Collins, Colorado. The football field at Colorado State University has been in his name at two different stadiums. His first stint at CSU was as an offensive coordinator under Leon Fuller in the early 80's after he was fired from Montana State. He left Fort Collins then when Jack Elway asked him to be on his coaching staff at Stanford. That lasted until Jack and his staff were fired after the 1988 season. From there he joined Dennis Erickson's staff in Washington State for a few weeks before Erickson took the head coaching job at the University of Miami. Sonny followed and was part of two National Championships with the Hurricanes.

He became CSU's head coach in 1993 where he guided the Rams to 6 conference titles and 9 bowl games. Everybody loved (and still loves) Sonny. On November 26, 2007, CSU beat Wyoming and it was Sonny's last game coaching the Rams. Fans at the game didn't know their favorite coach was being fired, but Sonny, his coaches and a few others (including the host of this podcast) did. His firing was made official a few days later.

In Part One, Sonny goes back to his days growing up in Montana and recounts some great stories about how he started coaching and his path leading to CSU in 1993.

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His three tenures with the Denver Broncos totaled 14 years and brought the city back to back Super Bowl Championships. Mike Shanahan's other 24 years of coaching had stops in Oklahoma, Eastern Illinois (D2 Championship), Northern Arizona, Minnesota, Florida, LA Raiders, San Francisco 49'ers (Super Bowl XXIX), and (then) Washington Redskins. In the college ranks, Mike moved up the ladder with ease.

In the pros, he moved up through the years, however there were a few setbacks along the way with firings in LA, Denver and Washington. No matter how each stint ended, he gained perspective and learned at every stop in his career. Mike deservedly earned a spot in the Broncos Ring of Fame and should have a bust in Canton, Ohio. Hopefully someday.

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He loved playing basketball Thomas Jefferson High School, but football got him to the University of Colorado where he won the Mackey Award as the nation's best tight end. In 2002, after his stellar college career, Daniel Graham was drafted 21st overall by the New England Patriots where he won two Super Bowls. He tested the free agent market after four years with the Pats and landed back home in Denver with the Broncos. He was a captain, a leader and in October of 2009, he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. The next year, the Broncos released him. Two more NFL teams did the same before he hung up the cleats and retired in 2012.

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He was told he was too slow, so he trained with his college track team. He wasn't drafted by the team he thought would draft him, so he went to their training camp and made the team as an undrafted free agent. Over the next several years, Steve Watson would endear himself to Broncos fans catching anything throw his way by Craig Morton, John Elway and others. He earned the nickname Blade.

In 1989 he was cut by the Broncos and had to figure out what to do next with a young family at home. He tried a variety of professions from real estate, media and coaching and today still keeps his plate full of activities.

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For all the years Gary Kubiak has been in the NFL as both a player and coach, it's hard to believe he's only been fired once. Then again, Gary is once of the nicest guys you'll ever meet and his football IQ is through the roof. Gary knows how success feels: he was the Broncos head coach for their Super Bowl 50 win and an offensive coordinator under Mike Shanahan when they won Super Bowls 32 & 33. He also knows how setbacks feel: he was fired from the Houston Texans and was part of three Super Bowl losses as a player.

Today Gary is retired in Houston with his wife Rhonda. He enjoys spending time with their grandkids and keeping up with their three sons who as of 2022 were all employed by NFL teams. Apples don't fall far from trees.

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Morgan County Colorado has produced some pretty impressive NFL talent and Joel Dreessen set that stage. Players who came after Joel from the rural area include Ryan Jensen, Dalton Risner and Trey McBride. These are small town, no BS guys and they are raised with one basic concept: work hard, always. Joel was a standout tight end for Colorado State University and is a member of the CSU Athletics Hall of Fame.

In 2005, he was drafted by the Jets in the 6th round and they cut him a year later. He then spent a year out of football, trying out for a different team nearly every week. In 2007, he was signed by the Houston Texans where he played 5 seasons and made his way to Denver as a free agent for two more seasons until he was released. After he retired, he struggled a bit mentally, especially when he had a gig as radio show host while the Broncos were making their victory run to Super Bowl 50. He was jealous and depressed.

Today, he's in a better place with his beautiful wife Stacy, two cute kiddos and working his land both in Colorado and Texas. Joel has some great words of advice and a tattoo to always remember which direction he's going.

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Gary Barnett was a football player long before he was a coach. He started playing and loving the game from the age of 5 and played through high school and college at the University of Missouri. After college, he was a high school football coach and counselor and thought he’d made it… until the college ranks called. Eventually he became the 22nd head coach for the University of Colorado. On the field, Coach Barnett had a lot of success winning a Conference Title, four Big 12 North Titles, ranked #2 in the nation at one point and also twice being named Big 12 Coach of the Year.

There was also a lot that happened off the field during Coach Barnett's tenure. In November of 2005, CU's Athletic Director Mike Bohn informed Gary and his coaches that their contracts were being extended. A few weeks later, he was fired after a 70-3 loss to Texas in the Big 12 Championship game.

Gary and his wife Mary took a breath for a short time, but it wasn't long before he discovered a love for broadcasting. He was welcomed back to the CU community in 2016 as the color analyst for the Colorado Football Network. He is also very involved in charity work dealing with suicide prevention. To learn more about his charity work with the Mary & Gary Barnett Family Foundation visit GaryBarnettFoundation.org

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He is one of only three people who have been drafted by the NBA, NFL and MLB. Dave Logan was a super star athlete growing up in Wheat Ridge and eventually landed at the University of Colorado for football. His good fortunes continued in the NFL where he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns. As a member of the "Kardiac Kids" Dave played for the Browns for 8 seasons. Then came a trade to the Broncos in 1984. Then 4 games into the '84 season, he was cut by the Broncos. For the first time in his life, he "wasn't good enough to play football." Dave didn't lament on that for very long: he reinvented himself as a broadcaster and high school football coach.

In 1990 he joined KOA and the Broncos broadcast and has been the voice of the Broncos since 1995 when he took over play by play duties. His coaching career has been historic: as of 2022, he has led teams to 10 state championships with four different high schools. On top of all this, he is considered by many to be a good friend who can be counted on through thick and thin.

You can hear more from Dave by checking out his Podcast, The Dave Logan Podcast

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He was drafted in the final round of the 1983 draft. Round 12. That round doesn't even exist anymore. He lost 3 Super Bowls and after 12 years with the Broncos, #77 retired when he knew he had lost a step. During his dozen years in Denver, Karl Mecklenburg made a huge impact with the Broncos defense. He learned all 7 front defensive positions and even played them all in one game. Karl was a Captain and 6-time Pro Bowler. After retirement, he went into the Broncos Ring of Fame and was a semi-finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for 8 straight years.

He learned numerous lessons about teamwork during his playing days and those lessons have proven to be extremely beneficial in retirement with a professional speaking career. Listen to his story here and learn more about Karl at www.KarlMecklenburg.com.

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