From one-win seasons to division titles: the rapid rise of Mike MacIntyre
In short: Can a struggling program transform into a powerhouse in just two years? Mike MacIntyre proved it was possible, taking San Jose State from a 1–12 disaster to a top-25 BCS ranking and breaking dozens of records in a span of only 36 months.
Mike MacIntyre's coaching trajectory is defined by dramatic turnarounds. When he took over at San Jose State in late 2009, the Spartans were coming off a 2–10 season with only three winning seasons since 1993. His first year was difficult, ending 1–12, but his strategy focused on long-term growth: expanding recruiting, dropping the spread offense, and utilizing his experience in the SEC to improve rushing production.
The payoff arrived in 2012. Just two years after their lowest point, MacIntyre led the Spartans to a 10–2 record, their first bowl invitation since 2006, and an inaugural BCS Top 25 ranking. During that season alone, the team broke or tied 36 football records—both school and conference marks. His success was so pronounced that he earned the Grant Teaff National Coach of the Year Award and a $450,000 annual salary.
MacIntyre later achieved similar heights at the University of Colorado. In 2016, despite being picked to finish last in their division, he led the Buffaloes to their first Pac-12 South Division Championship in school history. During that season, he secured almost all primary coaching accolades, such as the Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award plus the Bobby Dodd Trophy; his father, George MacIntyre, had previously received this trophy in 1982.
Despite these peaks, MacIntyre's career highlights a volatile reality of high-stakes athletics. His tenure at Colorado ended abruptly in 2018; after starting the season with a perfect 5–0 record against major rivals like Nebraska and UCLA, the team collapsed into a seven-game losing streak, leading to his firing.
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