He accepted the position of athletic director and head football coach at Colorado Agricultural University in 1911 and turned a winless team in 1911 into conference champions with an undefeated record in 1915.

[2] Upon his retirement he was inducted into the Helms Football Hall of Fame on Harry Hughes Day, November 8, 1952.

[4] This triple pass was an end around play based on the single wing formation and helped Hughes lead his teams to national fame.

Some of Hughes' greatest players were Ralph "Sag" Robinson (All-American Honorable Mention 1916), Kenneth Hyde (1925 All-American 3rd team) and Glenn Morris (1936 US Olympic Decathlon Gold Medal winner).

[4] Hughes broke the color barrier in modern Colorado football in 1939 when he played John Mosley between 1939 and 1942.

[4] Hughes retired from Colorado A&M College on July 1, 1953, after 42 years as Aggies coach and athletic director.