Hawkins leaning toward CU post

BOISE -- Boise State University football coach Dan Hawkins told a press conference at the Idaho school that he'll be going to the University of Colorado in Boulder on Friday to discuss taking the head coaching job.

"If certain things happen," Hawkins said, he will become the new coach of the Buffaloes.

"Officially, nothing's been decided," he said. "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."

The Colorado Board of Regents has to meet to approve Hawkins' appointment. It has scheduled a special meeting Friday.

The Board of Regents did not provide details of Friday's meeting but scheduled it at the school's athletics complex.

Hawkins, who is 53-9 during his coaching career at BSU, said the decision has been agonizing.

"What it gets down to is challenge and opportunity, versus continuing to do what you've been doing," he said. "I'm going to prove myself again."

Colorado, in the Big 12, is larger than Boise State of the Western Athletic Conference and more likely to be in the Bowl Championship Series, the most lucrative bowl series in America. Hawkins said that played a role in his decision.

Colorado's tarnished reputation with a sex and recruiting scandal needed to be addressed.

"The biggest thing you need to do is go in there and galvanize some things, because they've been through a lot," Hawkins said.

Boise State officials did not indicate who would be a contender for Hawkins' position, should he leave. Several players said they expect offensive coordinator Chris Petersen to be his successor.

"We're losing a great coach, but we're gaining a great coach, in coach Petersen," said Ian Johnson, a running back for the Broncos.

BSU players say they are continuing to focus on their upcoming Dec. 28 MPC Computers Bowl in Boise against 19th-ranked Boston College.

"Football is all about winning," said Alex Guerrero, a BSU defensive tackle. "It's not about who is wearing the headphones.

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