SDSU's Sean Lewis Raves About Wyoming's New Running Backs Coach

LAS VEGAS, Nev., -- You can just call it a late portal addition.

Sean Lewis did.

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San Diego State's second-year head coach Thursday raved about new Wyoming running back's coach Gary Harrell. The two spent the 2023 season together at the University of Colorado on Deion Sanders' staff.

Harrell was hired in April, weeks into the Cowboys' spring football schedule. He replaced Donnell Kirkwood Jr., who unexpectedly jumped ship just before the initial practice last March. He's now at Washington State.

Jay Sawvel said Harrell's experience, including serving under Lane Kiffin and Sanders, along with a head coaching stint at his alma mater Howard, sealed the deal.

“He is well-respected with a great sense for the game, offensively," Wyoming's head coach said. "We are excited to have him here and excited to get him in the room and out on the field with our team."

The 53-year-old also lined up at wide receiver for the New York Giants in 1994-95 before capping his playing career in the World League and the Canadian Football League.

CU featured one of the least effective rushing attacks in the country during Harrell's two seasons in Boulder, averaging just over 800 total yards on the ground per year. The Buffaloes featured a pass-happy scheme, orchestrated by quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Lewis, who was stripped of his play-calling duties late in the '23 campaign, inked with San Diego State that November. Harrell lasted one more season at CU. His contract wasn't renewed and he was eventually replaced by Marshall Faulk, a former Aztec running back and NFL Hall of Famer.

Lewis said he and Harrell ran into one another this summer at a camp in Texas. It was a chance for the two to catch up before the Cowboys and Aztecs face off Nov. 1 inside SnapDragon Stadium.

"What a hire for Wyoming," Lewis said. "It's a good get and I hope that works out well for him and his family.

"Maybe not so great one day this fall."

University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players

During the summer of 2021, 7220Sports.com counted down the Top 50 football players in University of Wyoming history, presented by Premier Bone & Joint Centers, Worthy of Wyoming.

The rules are simple: What was the player's impact while in Laramie? That means NFL stats, draft status or any other accolade earned outside of UW is irrelevant when it comes to this list.

This isn't a one-man job. This task called for a panel of experts. Joining 7220's Cody Tucker are Robert Gagliardi, Jared Newland, Ryan Thorburn, and Kevin McKinney.

We all compiled our own list of 50 and let computer averages do the work. Think BCS -- only we hope this catalog is fairer.

Don't agree with a selection? Feel free to sound off on our Twitter: @7220sports - #Top50UWFB

Gallery Credit: 7220Sports.com

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players