Boise State coach Dan Hawkins has accepted the head coaching job at the University of Colorado, sources told ESPN. Hawkins will be introduced at a news conference on Friday.
Hawkins had been rumored as a potential replacement since former coach Gary Barnett's dismissal last Thursday.
Hawkins told The Associated Press Thursday he will become the head coach at Colorado "if certain things happen."
Hawkins said he will travel to Boulder, Colo., Friday to finalize negotiations for the job.
"Officially, nothing's been decided," he told the AP. "There are
certain things that have to happen. You can go 99 yards on a
football field, but you have to go that last yard, you don't get a
touchdown."
Hawkins interviewed with CU athletic director Mike Bohn on Saturday, the first interview he conducted. Hawkins, former Colorado player and current UCLA assistant Jon Embree, and Denver Mullen High School's Dave Logan were the three candidates that spoke with Colorado officials, according to a person familiar with the search.
The governing board of the University of Colorado said Thursday it would hold a special meeting Friday to consider a job hire. The Board of Regents did not provide details of Friday's meeting but scheduled it at the school's athletics complex.
"Dan Hawkins is the type of coach who represents virtually every expectation that I outlined," Bohn told Denver station KUSA-TV on Wednesday before the agreement was finalized. "We will be well on our way to restoring a sense of pride in the Golden Buffaloes."
Boise State won a share of its fourth straight Western Athletic Conference title this season and is 53-9 under Hawkins. He's been a hot name on the job market for the past couple years, and Boise has enhanced his contract and the football facilities to keep him.
However, Hawkins could just about double his $525,000 annual salary at Colorado. His contract calls for an $850,000 buyout, but that will be reduced to $700,000 after this season. At this point, it is unclear whether Hawkins will coach Boise State in the MPC Computers Bowl against Boston College.
ESPN has also learned that offensive coordinator Chris Petersen will remain at Boise State and replace Hawkins as head coach. Hawkins, however, is expected to take several of his assistants from Boise State with him to Colordao.
The Broncos play Boston College on Dec. 28 in the MPC Computers Bowl.
CU came to a $3 million settlement with Barnett last week. He was forced out with a year left on his contract after two years of off-field turmoil and blowout losses to Nebraska and Texas in the
final two games of this season.
The university loaned the athletic department the money to pay
Barnett. The department will use revenue from the 12th game on upcoming schedules to repay the loan, and may have to pay for Hawkins' buyout in the same manner.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.