Family: CU Buffaloes legendary coach Bill McCartney diagnosed with Alzheimer’s

Former University of Colorado coach Bill McCartney, who coached the Buffaloes to 1990 consensus national championship, has been diagnosed with late-onset dementia/Alzheimer’s, the Buffaloes legend’s family announced Monday.

The announcement, made by the family through the CU athletics department, comes just a few weeks ahead of McCartney’s 76th birthday.

“We (his family) have been noticing memory issues for the past few years and he was recently diagnosed. He is receiving treatment and we are hoping this slows the progression of the disease,” McCartney’s family said in a news release. “He is still the same Coach Mac –– biking, golfing, supporting the Buffs and being an active member of his Church.”

McCartney’s family said the decision to make this news public was to ask people who interact with the coach to have “understanding and patience.”

“This is a frustrating and confusing disease, and if he appears disconnected or unknowing, please don’t take it personally,” the family said in the release.

With McCartney’s diagnoses, the coach becomes the second high-profile Colorado sports figure in as many years to be diagnosed with the degenerative neurological disease, as it was made public that Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen had Alzheimer’s in July 2014.

Bowlen had taken a reduced role in the organization before the announcement, and Broncos President Joe Ellis has since taken over operating the team “with full authority on all matters.”

McCartney coached the Buffs from June 1982 until he retired following the 1994 season as the CU’s winningest football coach with a 93-55-5 record.

After his retirement, McCartney worked for Promise Keepers Men’s Ministry, a Christian organization with a mission to “ignite and unite men to become warriors who will change their world.”

Digital content producer Johnny Hart covers sports for 104.3 The Fan. Follow him on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.

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