The University of Colorado is honoring former football head coach Bill McCartney in a free memorial event that will be open to the public. McCartney was 84 when he died peacefully, his family said.

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Bill McCartney, who coached Colorado to its only football national championship in 1990, has died. He was 84.

He coached Colorado to a national championship in 1990. In retirement he led the Promise Keepers, an evangelical Christian group for “godly men.”

After transforming the University of Colorado’s football team, he founded the Promise Keepers, a masculine revivalist group that drew millions of supporters.

Years before his recent death, former Colorado football coach Bill McCartney had a memorable conversation with a reporter about his cruel condition.

The University of Colorado Athletic Department will hold a public memorial to honor beloved coach, Bill McCartney.

- Retired Colorado head football coach Bill McCartney smiles duriung the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Boulder, Colo. By removing a potential stumbling block,

He led the Colorado Buffaloes to a national title and started a movement urging men to take responsibility for their faith, families, and communities.