DENVER (KDVR) — Bill McCartney, the University of Colorado Boulder's head football coach from 1982 through 1994, lauded as a legendary coach by CU Athletics, died peacefully on Friday, Jan. 10, his family and CU Athletics announced. McCartney, affectionately known as Coach Mac, led the CU Buffaloes to win three consecutive Big Eight Conference Titles between 1989 and 1991, with the team crowned as national champions by the Associated Press in 1990, a title shared with Georgia Tech. In 2013, McCartney was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach. "It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Bill McCartney, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, who left this world peacefully at the age of 84 after a courageous journey with Dementia," the McCartney family shared in a statement. CU Athletics said he passed peacefully at age 84 after a long illness shortly after 9 p.m. Friday evening with family members at his side. "Coach Mac touched countless lives with his unwavering faith, boundless compassion, and enduring legacy as a leader, mentor, and advocate for family, community, and faith. As a trailblazer and visionary, his impact was felt both on and off the field, and his spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those he inspired," the family added. CU Athletics noted that Coach Mac retired as the winningest coach in CU football history, turning around a football program that had won 14 games over the past six seasons. CU Athletic Director Rick George hired McCartney in 1987 and has remained life-long friends with him. The pair spent time with him recently, CU Athletics said, marking one final chance to visit with one of his greatest mentors. “I am very saddened at the passing of Coach Mac,” George said in a CU Athletics statement. “I was fortunate to be able to say goodbye to Coach in person last week. Coach Mac was an incredible man who taught me about the importance of faith, family and being a good husband, father and grandfather. He instilled discipline and accountability to all of us who worked and played under his leadership.  The mark that he left on CU football and our athletic department will be hard to replicate. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mike, Tom, Kristy, Marc and their families. I have many fond memories of Coach Mac and will hold those close to my heart. God bless Coach Mac.”    In their statement, the McCartney family said details about their father's memorial service will be shared in the coming days. "Coach Mac deeply believed that investing in the local church was the most impactful way to transform a community. In honor of his legacy, and in lieu of flowers, we invite you to consider making a donation—beyond your regular tithes and offerings—to a local church in Bill's name," the family said. McCartney was 95-55-5 in 13 seasons with the Buffaloes, CU Athletics said, "guiding the program to its first and only national championship in football in 1990, doing so by playing the nation’s toughest schedule, just the second time that feat was ever accomplished." McCartney coached the team in nine bowl games, which is more than anyone before and after his time at the school. After a 4-16-1 start in conference games, the Buffs finished 58-29-4 against Big 8 competition, going 54-13-3 over McCartney's last 10 seasons. Mac coached the most games ever at CU, 153 total, and his 13-season run as a coach is second only to Fred Folsom, who had 15 seasons on the "hilltop." "He coached four players in the college hall: outside linebacker Alfred Williams (inducted in 2010), wide receiver Michael Westbrook (2020), the late running back Rashaan Salaam (2022) and cornerback Deon Figures (2024). Eighteen of his players are in CU’s Athletic Hall of Fame," CU Athletics said Friday. In 2013, when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a coach, he credited the recruiting class in the winter of 1983 and how they recruited "our great class" in 1987 that made the national championship team. “That’s how I am in the Hall of Fame,” he said in 2013. “This means something to the state of Colorado, it’s part of our history. What led us to the national championship is that seven years earlier, the in-state kids stayed home.” Coach Mac was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1999 and was enshrined in the CU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.