"I have no plans right now. It's too early to speculate," Lubick said Tuesday at a news conference.

Athletic director Paul Kowalczyk said Lubick has a job as associate athletic director available to him "if and when he wants it."

"I want Sonny to be associated with the program," Kowalczyk said. "I'm going to do whatever I can to keep him in the fold. I want him to be associated with this program that he's put on the map."

Lubick's coaching staff was also let go with the exception of Tom Ehlers, the director of football operations, who will be kept on to oversee the transition period.

Kowalczyk has no timetable for hiring a new coach. He's already received calls about the vacancy, but wouldn't reveal any names. Kowalczyk said he would consult with Lubick before hiring a new coach.

"I'd be foolish not to," he said.

Kowalczyk asked Lubick to step down a few days before the Rams' season-ending win over Wyoming last Friday.

"It's the hardest position I've ever been in," he said. "I'd never wish that on anyone else."

Lubick gathered his players Tuesday before the press conference and told them he wasn't leaving on his own accord. He wanted to stay and help turn around the program that went 3-9 this season.

"He told us he wanted to come back," Colorado State quarterback Caleb Hanie said. "He said, 'I would never quit on you guys.' That's what we wanted to hear from him."

Hanie said it was difficult listening to Lubick's farewell speech.

"I think he deserves to leave whenever he wants," Hanie said. "He earned that right. But you can see where the school is coming from. That's what the game has evolved to, it's a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately type of thing. Sometimes, you forget what coaches have done for you."

Speculation has been swirling around Lubick's future for days after the Rams finished the season. They haven't had a winning record since 2003, although Lubick is 108-74 in 15 seasons at Colorado State and is credited with turning an underachieving program into a consistent winner for most of his tenure.

He led the Rams to nine bowl games and at least a share of conference titles in six seasons.

"This episode over the last few days doesn't change anything for me," Lubick said in a 45-minute speech before about 200 players, supporters and media.