Colorado alum Darrin Chiaverini caps off perfect season

Lost in the chaos of rivalry weekend, a former Colorado Buffaloes great capped off a perfect season in the Junior College ranks. Saturday night at Grigsby Field in front of 752 fans, the Chaffey College Panthers defeated the Pasadena City College Lancers 16-12 to capture the Southern California Football Association’s American Division Championship. 

The Panthers finished a perfect 11-0 on the season, the only SCFA team to do so. The architect behind Chaffey’s unblemished season? None other than former Colorado offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini.

“Chaffey Panthers Win!! 11-0 Perfect Season!! American Division Bowl Champions!! It’s Ring Season!! Job Finished!!” he posted on X (formerly Twitter) following the Panthers victory. 

Perhaps even more impressive than the perfect season was the fact that Chiaverini literally rebuilt Chaffey’s program from scratch. Chiaverini left his gig as an analyst for UCLA to become Chaffey’s head coach on May 15, a mere 110 days prior to the Panthers season opener against Los Angeles Valley College.

“Had 0 players at the end of May!! Now we are undefeated Conference and Division Champions!! Let’s go!!” he posted.

Chiaverini was a wide receiver for the Buffaloes from 1995-’98 and compiled 97 receptions for 1,199 yards and six touchdowns during his four years in Boulder. He was drafted in the 5th round by the Browns in 1999 and played for Cleveland, Dallas, and Atlanta before finishing with the Arena Football League’s Austin Wranglers. 

Following seven years playing professionally, Chiaverini began his coaching career in 2007 as the wide receivers coach for Mt. San Antonio College. From 2016-2021 he graced the sidelines as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Colorado. A nice story for one of the good guys with ties to the Buffs.