Fridays with Mac: Producing Heavenly Results

Perhaps it’s because we’re in the middle of the college football season. Maybe it’s because the Centennial State’s autumn season’s weather and color has been so spectacular. Or, it could be two fellas everyone calls “Mac” simply cherishing drives to Boulder. The memories, most quite good, come flooding back every time we begin the steep descent toward the University of Colorado campus and its red-tiled roofs. Maybe it’s “All of the Above.” Regardless, this much I know, you can, Bill McCartney’s words, “Hang your hat on it and take it to the bank.” Without being prompted, every Friday with Mac? At the scenic overlook on the Boulder Turnpike? The Hall of Fame coach mutters, “Welcome to heaven on Earth.”

It’s a phrase the only coach to ever lead the Buffaloes to a national title used constantly when he would, purposely, stop at the overlook while transporting young men from Denver’s airport to the campus on a recruiting trip. Sure makes a powerful first impression. On this particular day, holy smokes, the view was stunning. Fresh snow on the highest peaks, abundant colors of red and yellow ablaze among trees and the skies above? An amazing blue. Absolutely gorgeous.

When speaking about the Detroit native’s success as a football coach, at Michigan as an assistant under Wolverine legend Bo Schembechler or a 13-year tenure as CU’s coach from 1982-94, one thing is never disputed: The man born to coach could recruit.

It didn’t hurt to have Mother Nature’s help in offering such a majestic setting for dreamers, talented at football and pursuing collegiate success as a student/athlete. However, what was most important to the rise of Colorado football during the greatest run in school history was McCartney’s ability to convince future stars like Eric Bieniemy, Darian Hagan, Alfred Williams, Kanavis McGhee and Kordell Stewart (to name just a handful of CU stars) to leave their native states of California, Texas and Louisiana and plant roots in Boulder. A town known for its diversity of thought and acceptance but not its diversity of color.

As the “Buff Guy” for CBS4Denver during most of McCartney’s tenure, I was blessed to have a front-row seat. Traveling on the team plane, constantly at practices and games, an impressionable sports journalist got to know, respect and admire the above mentioned Black players and many others who came from inner-city backgrounds and found ample achievement playing for the Buffs. These standout players thrived in an environment where few folks looked like them. In this time of cries for greater racial equality in our nation, one damn impressive feat.

To this day, I’m asked often, “How was McCartney able to recruit so many great Black athletes to predominately-white Boulder? To his recruiting prowess, the unanimous 1989 Coach of the Year admits, “I can be persuasive.” Amen to that.

But how? What makes, to this day, McCartney so persuasive? Apparently, it begins with thinking of others before self. “We must listen to others and be genuinely interested in what they are saying,” offered McCartney as we gazed in awe and wonder at the beauty of Boulder while descending into the city.

Okay, first and foremost, listen and be genuinely interested. Get it. Coach, what’s next? “Then, always look for something positive to accentuate. The strongest form of motivation is ENCOURAGEMENT,” barked the energized 81-year-old. The father of four and grandfather to ten is fighting the good fight against Alzheimer’s and trust me, the coaching genes will forever be present as long as “Billy Mac from Hackensack” pulls oxygen into his lungs. It’s in his DNA.

Listen. Express genuine interest. Accentuate the positive. That terrific trio is a cord of three strands not easily broken and a great foundation to establishing trust and accomplishing our desire objective. In McCartney’s world of recruiting talented student/athletes, it was bedrock to the greatest stretch of football success the University of Colorado has ever known. Guess what? It’s a wonderful foundation for us too. In fact, when it comes to connecting with others? Focusing on listening, genuine interest and encouragement can deliver heavenly results wherever we, like the Buffaloes, roam - home, work and elsewhere.

Coach, keep coaching! #goodbetterbest