If the Northern Colorado Bears were looking to steal a few headlines this week, mission accomplished.

The university named former Broncos wide receiver Ed McCaffrey its next head football coach in a statement released Thursday afternoon. McCaffrey replaces Earnest Collins Jr., who was let go after posing a 28-72 record in nine seasons in Greeley.

“In conducting our national search, Ed clearly embodied all the traits we desired in our next head coach,” UNC’s statement read. “He is a fierce competitor who developed his talents and strengths among some of football’s greatest minds, and he knows what it takes to succeed at all levels of the game. It was clear to us that he also genuinely cares about student-athletes and their personal, academic and professional development beyond football”

McCaffrey confirmed his intention to take the job in a post on his Instagram page Thursday. He will be introduced at a news conference at 3 p.m. Friday at the University of Northern Colorado Campus Commons.

“I am excited to be joining the University of Northern Colorado as their Head Football Coach,” McCaffrey posted on Instagram.

“Thank you to President Andy Feinstein and Director of Athletics Darren Dunn for the opportunity to lead this football program. The University of Northern Colorado has a great reputation for both academics and athletics that attracts a diverse group of talented student-athletes. I look forward to immersing myself into the Bears family and coaching young men to be strong leaders on and off the field. Let’s bring championship football back to UNC!”

McCaffrey served as Valor Christian’s head football coach for the past two seasons, going 24-2 during that time. His team won a Class 5A state title in his first season in 2018, but the Eagles were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Columbine 37-30 this fall.

Prior to coaching, McCaffrey was an All-American wide receiver at Stanford. After getting drafted by the Giants in 1991, he went on to win three Super Bowls rings during a 13-year NFL career. That included a pair of Super Bowl titles with the Broncos in 1998 and ’99. He was also named to the Broncos’ 50th Anniversary Team in 2009.

His hiring comes on the same week that CSU hired former Boston College coach Steve Addazio to run its football program.