On Thursday, September 21, 2017, I arranged to meet ex-Colorado football coach Bill McCartney at a Starbucks within a Safeway store near Denver. At the time, I was a reporter with YSL News, as I am now, and I wanted to speak with him about his life and health following his diagnosis of late-onset dementia/Alzheimer’s disease.

At 77, McCartney had agreed to the interview but was late for our 8 a.m. appointment. After waiting a bit, I reached out to someone who knew him to jog his memory. When he finally showed up about 35 minutes late, he was very apologetic, stating he couldn’t believe he had forgotten.

“What happened today is the most significant thing that has happened to me so far,” McCartney remarked. “I’ve never been one to miss appointments. As a coach, you just can’t; otherwise, you lose your authority and respect. This all feels new to me, and I don’t remember agreeing to this meeting.”

McCartney passed away on Friday at the age of 84. Yet, the insights and thoughts he shared during our meeting remain with me, reminding me of the tremendous challenge he faced: the fear of losing one’s mental faculties. Although it’s a tragic narrative, his perspective on this daunting fate exudes bravery. It also highlights that nearly seven million Americans are affected by Alzheimer’s, a condition without a cure and whose causes remain unclear.

However, he held onto one belief amid it all.

“Faith is a choice,” McCartney stated. “You can decide to believe or not.”

Confronting His End

McCartney was a transformative figure, turning one of the worst college football teams in the country into national champions in 1990 before unexpectedly retiring in 1994 at age 54. His family’s public announcement of his condition came 22 years later, in 2016. Just under nine years later, his departure showed the relentless nature of the illness and how fleeting everything is, unless you put your trust in something greater. McCartney did, overtly displaying his Christian faith. However, his message resonates even beyond religious boundaries, especially when faced with such a merciless illness. He chose to speak about his experience to promote awareness.

“When you are unsure about your situation, it can be bewildering, especially when you have no reference point for it,” he expressed during our discussion. “It’s not something anyone anticipates, at least I didn’t. So, I’m at a loss for how to articulate this.”

He confided that he had no clear expectations, fearing his time might be limited, yet he maintained a belief that there could be a solution.

“I attribute it to prayer,” he mentioned. “That’s where I turn. I’m not claiming it will change anything, but I know where my hope lies.”

Addressing his predicament, McCartney sounded as if he were providing himself counsel—akin to how he guided many outstanding athletes at Colorado, like Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam and quarterback Kordell Stewart. He was known for his exceptional recruiting, winning over players and their families with discussions about faith and personal values while also being skilled at motivating players individually.

“He had an extraordinary ability to inspire others to achieve what seemed impossible,” noted former Colorado tight end Christian Fauria in a tribute to McCartney.

‘You Have to Wait for the Fourth Quarter to Win’

After stepping away from football, McCartney directed his talents toward ministry with his faith-driven organization, Promise Keepers, prior to confronting his final obstacle.

“I’ve always believed I was entering the fourth quarter, which is when you win the game,” he said during our interview in 2017. “You could be ahead or losing, but ultimately, victory comes in the fourth quarter. Now, I realize it’s fourth quarter for me, and perhaps there’s still hope.”

He referred to advancements in modern medicine and expressed a desire for help regarding his condition. Although he admitted to feeling “somewhat in denial” and scared, he also drew lessons from football on how to handle life’s challenges.

“Football teaches boys to become men,” he explained. “You might face someone stronger, faster, or tougher. Do you give up or confront it head-on? That’s the essence of football—and life. It’s about getting knocked down, rising up, and re-engaging.”

At that point in his life, McCartney maintained an active routine, cycling multiple times a week and praying. His daughter Kristy shared that he hadn’t allowed his situation to fuel anger or resentment. “He’s handled everything splendidly,” she remarked.

Two years prior to his passing, he visited the Boulder campus to meet current Colorado coach Deion Sanders.

Destined to Coach

On Friday, his family shared that he had passed away peacefully after “a brave battle with dementia.”

During our talk in 2017, McCartney recounted how his aspirations began as a child living near Riverview High School in Riverview, Michigan.

“When people asked young kids, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ I always said, ‘I want to be a coach,’” McCartney recalled. “My parents allowed me to play across the street in the parks and watch teams practice football and basketball. I admired the coaches and thought, ‘I want to do that.’ From that moment, coaching became my calling.”

He was indeed destined for this path. In 1973, he led Divine Child High School in Dearborn to state championships in both basketball and football. He took the reins at Colorado in 1982, concluding his career as the university’s most successful head coach by 1994.

As our interview neared its end, it became apparent that while he struggled with short-term memory, his long-term recollection remained intact. I shared my observation with him, which he appreciated after feeling embarrassed about being late.

“This conversation has benefited me by showing that I’m not nearly as far gone as I feared,” he stated gratefully.

Rest in peace, Coach Mac. For a brief moment, it felt as though I was coaching you, too. Your lessons remind us, at the core, it’s about believing—whether in faith or otherwise. A bit of encouragement can make a significant difference, too.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer.