McCartney was the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes for 13 seasons (1982–1994). He compiled a 93–55–5 (.624) record and won three consecutive Big Eight Conference titles (1989–1991). The Associated Press crowned McCartney's 1990 team national champions, splitting the title with Georgia Tech, which was first in the final Coaches' Poll.
McCartney founded the Promise Keepers men's ministry and was a coach inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
He was born in Riverview, Michigan, and coached at Holy Redeemer High School and Divine Child in Michigan.
He coached for Bo Schembechler at UM from 1974-1981 before becoming the head coach at Colorado in 1982.
McCartney won a number of national coaching awards in 1989, including the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award, the Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award and the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award. Three times, in 1985, 1989, and 1990, he was named the Big Eight Coach of the Year.
McCartney was the author of five books: From Ashes to Glory (1995), Sold Out (1997), Sold Out Two-Gether (1999), co-authored with his wife, Lyndi McCartney, Blind Spots: What You Don't See May Be Keeping Your Church From Greatness (2003), and Two Minute Warning: Why It's Time to Honor Jewish People Before the Clock Runs Out (2009) with Aaron Fruh
McCartney founded the Promise Keepers men's ministry and was a coach inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
He was born in Riverview, Michigan, and coached at Holy Redeemer High School and Divine Child in Michigan.
He coached for Bo Schembechler at UM from 1974-1981 before becoming the head coach at Colorado in 1982.
McCartney won a number of national coaching awards in 1989, including the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award, the Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award and the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award. Three times, in 1985, 1989, and 1990, he was named the Big Eight Coach of the Year.
McCartney was the author of five books: From Ashes to Glory (1995), Sold Out (1997), Sold Out Two-Gether (1999), co-authored with his wife, Lyndi McCartney, Blind Spots: What You Don't See May Be Keeping Your Church From Greatness (2003), and Two Minute Warning: Why It's Time to Honor Jewish People Before the Clock Runs Out (2009) with Aaron Fruh
