Jim Mora Colorado State: Veteran Coach Makes Surprising Move to Lead Rams in New Pac-12

Jim Mora is leaving the University of Connecticut to become the new head football coach at Colorado State University. The move was first reported by ESPN on Tuesday. Mora will lead the Rams as they prepare to join a reconfigured Pac-12 conference next season. This ends a highly successful four-year tenure rebuilding the UConn Huskies program.

His departure marks a significant shift in the college football coaching landscape. Colorado State is making a major investment to compete at a higher level. According to ESPN, a formal announcement is expected soon.

Building a Winner: Mora’s Legacy of Success at UConn

Jim Mora took over a UConn program in deep trouble in 2021. The team was an independent with little recent success. He quickly instilled a winning culture.

His first season resulted in a bowl game. The real breakthrough came in the 2024 and 2025 seasons. UConn achieved back-to-back nine-win seasons for the first time in school history. The team won bowl games in both years.

Mora’s staff developed talent and recruited effectively. The Huskies became a respected independent program. His work in Storrs is now considered one of the great recent rebuilding jobs in college football.

A New Challenge: Revitalizing Colorado State Football

Colorado State has struggled for consistency. The Rams have had just one bowl appearance since 2017. The program is now betting on Mora’s proven blueprint for success.

The timing is critical. Colorado State is set to join the new Pac-12 next season. The conference will feature schools like Boise State and Texas State. This move represents a major step up in competition for the Rams.

The university’s leadership believes Mora is the right coach for this transition. His experience at UCLA and in the NFL brings immediate credibility. The goal is clear: make Colorado State a top Group of Five program.

What This Means for Both Programs Going Forward

For UConn, the search for a new head coach begins immediately. The program must find a leader who can maintain the standard Mora set. The Huskies are now a more attractive job thanks to his work.

For Colorado State, the hire signals serious ambition. Playing in a new conference requires immediate competitiveness. Mora’s ability to develop players will be tested quickly in Fort Collins.

The college football coaching carousel continues to spin. This move impacts two programs on the rise. All eyes will be on how both schools navigate their new realities.

Jim Mora’s move to Colorado State is a pivotal moment for both universities. His proven track record of rebuilding programs will face a new test in the Rams’ Pac-12 era. This coaching change underscores the high-stakes nature of modern college football.

Thought you’d like to know

Why did Jim Mora leave UConn for Colorado State?

Mora is taking on a new challenge at a program entering a major conference. Colorado State’s move to the Pac-12 presents a unique opportunity. The resources and ambition in Fort Collins likely played a key role.

How successful was Jim Mora at UConn?

He was very successful. Mora led UConn to consecutive nine-win seasons and bowl victories. He transformed the program from a struggling independent into a consistent winner.

What conference is Colorado State joining?

Colorado State will join a newly configured Pac-12 conference next season. The league will include several former Mountain West schools. This is a significant step up in competition for the Rams.

Who will replace Jim Mora at UConn?

UConn has not named a replacement yet. The school will now begin a national search for its next head coach. The job is more attractive now due to Mora’s successful rebuilding effort.

What is Jim Mora’s overall coaching record?

Jim Mora has a 73-53 record as a college head coach. That includes his time at UCLA and UConn. He also has extensive experience as an NFL head coach.