On November 27, 2007, following significant drops in attendance and a 17–30 record over the past 4 seasons, including 3–9 in 2007, CSU made the difficult and controversial decision to relieve Lubick of his head coaching duties. The school hired Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild to take the helm. Fairchild was a Rams quarterback from 1978 to 1980, and served under Lubick as quarterback's coach and later as offensive coordinator from 1993 to 2000. After going 7–6 in his first season and leading CSU to a win in the New Mexico Bowl over Fresno State in 2008, Fairchild's Rams fell back to mediocrity. The Rams would finish each of the next three seasons 3–9. On December 4, 2011, just one day after losing the season finale to Wyoming 22–19, Fairchild was fired.