BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - A choked-up Jon Embree used his farewell news conference Monday to address several University of Colorado football players in attendance, telling them to keep up the good fight.

Embree said six of his coaches offered to resign in order for him to keep his job.

Embree was fired Sunday with three years left on the five-year contract he signed nearly two years ago. He's due a $1.5 million buyout. He suggested he got a raw deal, pointing out that he only got 1 1-2 recruiting classes.

Even coming off the worst season in the program's 123-year history, Embree's quick hook took his players by surprise.