Departed Colorado football lifer explains why Coach Prime removed him from on-field role

Colorado football lifer Darian Hagan, who led the Buffs to their only national championship in 1990 as a quarterback and was in various roles on CU's coaching staff and support staff for 17 years, explained why Coach Prime moved him from his running backs coach position upon arriving in Boulder.

“I’m still at a loss,” Hagan prefaced to BuffZone's Brian Howell in an interview before saying, “I don’t know what transpired, but it was nothing that was ever told to me other than he wants to tighten up his circle. To have had the role I had was disheartening and it was a frustrating year for me. It was cool, but it wasn’t a role that I really loved.

“I never in my wildest dreams thought that I wouldn’t still be at the University of Colorado. I also thought I would be coaching while there."

Ex-Colorado football OC Sean Lewis hiring Darian Hagan for San Diego State staff

Hagan's departure from the University of Colorado is a heartbreaker in a lot of ways, especially hearing the former on and off-field Buffs great describe how it went down with Coach Prime in his own words.

Luckily, though, demoted former CU play-caller-turned-San Diego State head coach Sean Lewis has given Hagan a running backs coach role. Hagan was grateful when discussing his new position with Howell.

“I don’t know what happened (after the spring), but I’ll tell you this: everything happens for a reason and the good Lord wanted me to be at San Diego State," Hagain said.

Hagan was particularly excited about the change of scenery and programs.

"“I’ve seen the CU way for so long and now I get a chance to see how the Aztecs do things,” he said. “It’s something that, it’s invaluable so I’m looking forward to those things as well.”

There will always be a special place in the hearts of Colorado fans for Hagan, and hopefully that feeling is one that's reciprocal despite how his departure went down during the first few months of the Deion Sanders era.