Spring Break
Fairchild ready for Showdown
Adam Bohlmeyer
Issue date: 8/29/08 Section: Sports
Entering your first game as the new head coach of a struggling football program can be difficult enough, but it becomes even harder when facing your school's biggest rival.
Welcome to the life of Rams head Coach Steve Fairchild and his staff.
Fairchild is feeling the pressure of the Showdown, but explained that it has nothing to do with facing the Buffs.
"It's pretty pressure packed no matter who you open up with," said the former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator. "That's the nature of division one football. I'm just looking at it as we came here to do a job and this is the road we have to travel."
First year CSU offensive coordinator Greg Peterson explained that he is more excited about Sunday's game than nervous. The 25-year coach said that there is no sense in getting nervous.
"We relish the chance anytime that you get to play your in-state rival whether it's the first game of the season or the twelfth," he said. "We'll have a good plan for the Buffaloes and we'll be ready to go."
Fairchild explained that having coached in the showdown and having coaches who have played in the game before helps nerves a lot.
"Most the guys on this staff are familiar with this game, so we know what it's about and it's a great atmosphere," he said. "It's a little easier to visualize the game when you have been there and know what you are walking into."
Five members of Fairchild's staff have previously been a part of the Showdown, including Daren Wilkinson, Anthoney Hill and Pat Meyer, who donned the green and gold as players.
CSU Athletic Director Paul Kowalczyk said he believes in the things that Fairchild and his staff are doing to transform the program, but explained that there is no pressure on the coaches based on the outcome of this season.
"It's year one of a rebuilding but I'm already impressed with the progress I'm seeing," he said. "We're not putting any pressure on wins and losses this year."
Welcome to the life of Rams head Coach Steve Fairchild and his staff.
Fairchild is feeling the pressure of the Showdown, but explained that it has nothing to do with facing the Buffs.
"It's pretty pressure packed no matter who you open up with," said the former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator. "That's the nature of division one football. I'm just looking at it as we came here to do a job and this is the road we have to travel."
First year CSU offensive coordinator Greg Peterson explained that he is more excited about Sunday's game than nervous. The 25-year coach said that there is no sense in getting nervous.
"We relish the chance anytime that you get to play your in-state rival whether it's the first game of the season or the twelfth," he said. "We'll have a good plan for the Buffaloes and we'll be ready to go."
Fairchild explained that having coached in the showdown and having coaches who have played in the game before helps nerves a lot.
"Most the guys on this staff are familiar with this game, so we know what it's about and it's a great atmosphere," he said. "It's a little easier to visualize the game when you have been there and know what you are walking into."
Five members of Fairchild's staff have previously been a part of the Showdown, including Daren Wilkinson, Anthoney Hill and Pat Meyer, who donned the green and gold as players.
CSU Athletic Director Paul Kowalczyk said he believes in the things that Fairchild and his staff are doing to transform the program, but explained that there is no pressure on the coaches based on the outcome of this season.
"It's year one of a rebuilding but I'm already impressed with the progress I'm seeing," he said. "We're not putting any pressure on wins and losses this year."
Be the first to comment on this story