Former Buffs Coach Bill McCartney Diagnosed With Alzheimer's Disease

BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4/AP) - The family of Bill McCartney says the former University of Colorado football coaching great was recently diagnosed with late-onset dementia and Alzheimer's.

Friends tell CBS4 the disease is affecting McCartney's short term memory, causing him to forget things like names, numbers and places.

"If you talked to him he'd tell you that this is just the next fight. This is the next game. This is the next opportunity to pull through," Alfred Williams, former CU and Denver Broncos football player, said.

McCartney, who led the Buffaloes to their only national championship in 1990, is the winningest coach in Colorado history at 93-55-5. He was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1999 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013.

Family members said in a statement that McCartney is "still the same Coach Mac — biking, golfing, supporting the Buffs and being an active member of his church."

Therefore, the statement continued, "We are making this public to ask for your understanding and patience as we know he frequently runs into fans, friends and former players. This is a frustrating and confusing disease, and if he appears disconnected or unknowing, please don't take it personally."

"He'll tell me every time I see him, he'll say CJ, you know I pray for you every night. I guess I'd like to say to Coach Mac, I'm praying for you buddy," Charles Johnson, former CU quarterback who help lead CU to their 1990 title, said.

McCartney Family Statement

The McCartney family's complete statement, issued through the CU Athletic Department, is as follows:

We would like to share the news that our father, Coach Bill McCartney has been diagnosed with late-onset Dementia/Alzheimer's. 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. He is still the same Coach Mac – biking, golfing, supporting the Buffs and being an active member of his Church.

We are making this public to ask for your understanding and patience as we know he frequently runs into fans, friends and former players. This is a frustrating and confusing disease, and if he appears disconnected or unknowing, please don't take it personally.

Please keep Coach Mac in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate through this difficult time.

— The McCartney Family

Statement From From Raleigh B. Washington - Promise Keepers President/CEO 

"Coach Mac remains my active best friend. His current battle is with some aspects of short-term memory. His long-term memory, to include intimate details involving his former players and game circumstances, remains in tact. To his current joy, his memory of many memorized verses in the Bible, remains strong. Each Sunday he gives a powerful "Word for the Day", always comparing former football situations to Biblical truths. He is physically fit, riding his bike daily. Many times twice daily. His participation in the moment, is the way it has always been. Despite this, Coach realizes that things are changing. Considering that, I ask for your prayers on his behalf as he navigates new waters". 

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