Barnet being fired.

[HUSKERbyNATURE]

Barnett being fired.

 

The Denever post is reporting that Barnett will be fired in the coming days.

 

I hope this ends up making Colorado a stronger team, and brings more strength to the North.

 

As always, GBR

[DaveH]

This would surprise me after what I have read his AD has said after the NU game. Didn't sound like he was ready to let him go.

[Eric the Red]

Barnett being fired.

 

The Denever post is reporting that Barnett will be fired in the coming days.

 

I hope this ends up making Colorado a stronger team, and brings more strength to the North.

 

As always, GBR

Should have happened two years ago. Guess his prostituion ring got nailed.

[born red]

Article Launched: 12/07/2005 01:00:00 AM

 

cu football

CU will sack Barnett

Buffs' poor finish was breaking point, says contract-talks source

By Chris Dempsey and Mark Kiszla

Denver Post Staff Writers

 

 

 

 

 

Colorado football coach Gary Barnett (Getty / Brian Bahr)

 

Boulder - Gary Barnett is on his way out as the University of Colorado's football coach.

 

A source close to contract negotiations between Barnett and CU indicated Tuesday that Barnett will not be retained as coach of the Buffaloes. Although there is no timeline for an announcement, CU athletic director Mike Bohn, who returns to Boulder today from meetings in New York, plans to talk to Barnett soon.

 

Barnett, whose record is 49-38 after seven seasons at CU, could not be reached for comment. A call to Barnett's lawyer, John Rodman, was not returned.

 

Colorado's poor finish was the breaking point, the source said. A month ago, Barnett was on solid footing in his search for a contract extension. Consecutive losses to Iowa State, Nebraska and Texas by a combined score of 130-22 placed a large amount of doubt on whether an extension would still be offered.

 

The 59-year-old Barnett acknowledged Monday that "prior to the Iowa State game, I felt like (an extension) was a done deal. Since then, the climate has changed."

 

Colorado started 7-2 but finished the season 7-5 and will play Clemson in the Champs Sports Bowl on Dec. 27 in Orlando, Fla.

 

Bohn, who Tuesday night would not speculate on Barnett's future, previously had expressed pleasure with the direction of the football program but was visibly upset after Colorado's 70-3 loss to Texas in Saturday's Big 12 championship game, the third-worst loss in school history.

 

Colorado's buyout of Barnett's contract will cost approximately $1.8 million. That total includes Barnett's $1.6 million of the $2million retention bonus and a year's base salary of $185,000. Where CU will find the money to pay Barnett off still has to be worked out.

 

From introducing his RTD (Return to Dominance) slogan to defending the football program against allegations of recruiting misconduct, Barnett can be defined by his defiance.

 

He was named the 22nd football coach in Colorado history on Jan. 20, 1999. He promised a rigid, more disciplined program than that run by his predecessor, Rick Neuheisel.

 

Former CU coach Bill McCartney stayed steadfastly in Barnett's corner. On Tuesday, McCartney insisted Barnett was still the right man for the job.

 

"I've believed that for a long time," McCartney said. "And even though they've been through some real difficult times, he's still got a lot of energy, a lot of years ahead of him, and I don't think that he's lost anything. If anything, he's learned more."

 

Barnett led the Buffs to four Big 12 North Division titles, in 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005. He was named Big 12 coach of the year after the 2004 season.

 

Colorado won the Big 12 title in 2001, beating Texas 39-37 in the conference title game. It was CU's first conference title since sharing the Big Eight crown in 1991. In 14 seasons as a Division I-A head coach, Barnett compiled a record of 84-83-1.

 

Colorado was 35-24 in conference games under Barnett, his best marks being 7-1 in the 2001 and 2002 seasons. He was 2-2 in bowl games.

 

Until this season, Barnett's biggest on-field achievements came in Colorado's performances against rival Nebraska. The Buffs were 3-4 in those contests, but Barnett cultivated a new attitude throughout that the Huskers were not a team to be feared. Colorado put a stamp

 

 

 

 

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on the "renewal" of the rivalry in a 62-36 win at Folsom Field in 2001.

Games against in-state rival Colorado State had started to come around as well.

 

Under Barnett, on-field toughness seemed to improve, yet recruiting never truly got off the ground. The Buffs' 2004 and 2005 classes were ranked among the bottom half of the Big 12.

 

Tension never seemed to stray too far away from Barnett. When he was hired as head coach in 1999, he inherited walk-on kicker Katie Hnida, who had been promised a spot on the team by Neuheisel. Barnett would later say it was against his better judgment, but he allowed Hnida to stay before releasing her after the 2000 season.

 

Hnida later alleged various kinds of abuse she says occurred in the program under Barnett's watch. Her allegations grabbed national headlines when she said she was improperly treated by teammates during the 1999 season and raped by a teammate in the summer of 2000. Several other women alleged sexual assault by recruits and players, but no charges were filed.

 

Barnett stood by his program, saying he wanted to get to the bottom of her allegations but also calling Hnida an "awful kicker" in the process, terminology that, in connection with rape allegations, angered then-CU president Betsy Hoffman.

 

Hoffman and CU chancellor Richard Byyny placed Barnett on paid administrative leave on Feb. 18, 2004, pending the findings of an investigative panel, which was formed to probe the CU football program. Parents of many of the players in the program rallied to show their support, as did former CU players.

 

Hoffman placed the program under severe recruiting restrictions, some of which since have been relaxed. A long-awaited audit of the football program is expected to be released Monday.

 

Barnett, as well as CU players and the coaching staff, was always adamant that he would be cleared of any wrongdoing. He was reinstated on May 27, but in the months after, Hoffman, Byyny and athletic director Dick Tharp all resigned.

 

Staff writer Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-820-5455 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.

 

Staff writer Mark Kiszla can be reached at 303-820-5438 or mkiszla@denverpost.com.

[TheKiD]

Heard on ESPN radio this morning that this may not be true. Apparently, when asked about this, Barnett said that he had not heard anything about it, and that he was going to be coach next year as far as he knew. What they need is a complete overhaul in the athletic department.. not a new coach.. that's not gonna fix much.

[DaveH]

Didn't they just get a new AD?

[huskerguy]

Things need to change in Colorado, they are making the big 12 look bad

[hack]

Barnett being fired.

 

The Denever post is reporting that Barnett will be fired in the coming days.

 

I hope this ends up making Colorado a stronger team, and brings more strength to the North.

 

As always, GBR

Should have happened two years ago. Guess his prostituion ring got nailed.

oh, his girls were always getting nailed. they just got caught.

[kc_husker]

I said awhile back that Barnett will be let go and Mizzou will pick him up. It was all over the talk shows down here. Barnett is a MU alum

[DaveH]

Is this actually official yet?

[DJR313]

Is this actually official yet?

I just read it on the ESPNNews crawl. Denver Post reported he will not be retained next season.

[kramer]

From Thursday morning's Rocky Mountain News:

 

University of Colorado president Hank Brown has asked attorneys to investigate a series of allegations about the school's football program and its embattled coach, Gary Barnett, raised in an unsigned letter, the Rocky Mountain News has learned.

 

Steven Snyder, a private investigator hired in 2004 to look into CU's recruiting practices, said he believes the letter was written by "a former employee of the athletic department."

 

Snyder forwarded the letter and accompanying documents to Brown's office after he received them in October.

 

The letter includes assertions Barnett attempted to influence the sworn testimony of subordinates and charges of NCAA violations and financial improprieties.

 

Among the alleged NCAA violations is an assertion football players were tipped off well in advance of what were supposed to be random drug tests...

 

In addition, the charges were provided to the state auditor's office, which is wrapping up a monthslong review of spending in the CU athletic department and in summer football camps conducted by Barnett....

 

The new allegations about conduct in the football program first came to light in October, when they were forwarded to Snyder, an investigator retained in 2004 by the Independent Investigative Commission, which had been created by the regents to examine CU's recruiting practices....

 

He said it included a typed 1 1/2- page letter and copies of a number of documents, some of which appeared to include Barnett's handwriting....

 

Snyder and the second source detailed a series of allegations and concerns raised in the letter:

 

• That Barnett attempted to influence the testimony of others who gave depositions in the civil lawsuits and before the state grand jury.

 

• That Barnett failed to take any action against some football players suspected of inappropriate behavior, including an instance in which he failed to discipline a player who was the subject of a criminal sexual-assault investigation.

 

• That Barnett told others that every effort was to be made to protect one of the players who was accused of being involved in the Dec. 7, 2001, party that spawned the scandal and federal lawsuits.

 

• That NCAA violations occurred during Barnett's tenure at CU, running the gamut from a charge that the Buffaloes sometimes used 10 coaches on the sideline instead of the nine that are allowed to assertions players were tipped off, well in advance, of the days when they would be subjected to what were supposed to be random drug tests. The letter also accused Barnett's recruiting program of hosting extravagant meals and taking prospects and players to clubs that served alcohol.

 

• That numerous questions existed about the use of money, particularly in the summer football camps that are now the subject of the looming state audit report. For example, the letter alleged extraordinary amounts of money were provided to a student staff member in the athletic department who also was involved in the ambassador program, which pairs recruits with hosts while they are visiting the Boulder campus in an effort to help orient the prospects to CU and the football program.

 

• The letter was accompanied by copies of documents, including some that described "undisclosed supplemental income" apparently paid to assistant coaches. Snyder said the notes included handwriting that appeared to be Barnett's.

 

"He signed it 'Gary,' and then it had a 'Colorado football' stamp underneath it," Snyder said.

 

The source familiar with the letter's contents said it included extensive details, including locations where incidents occurred and the names of people involved.

 

There's more.

 

The link:

 

http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/n...4298911,00.html

[kramer]

Bo Pelini's name is being thrown in for the CU job. If and when it becomes available.

[nu4everfan15]

i heard steve mariucci as well.. dont know if he will go down to college just yet imo

[HuskersGJ]

wow, I almost, *almost*, feel sorry for CU fans. The bad karma just keeps on coming against these guys. its relentless! i love it.

 

It does seem a bit coincidental that this would come out a day after Barney=fired rumors. especially considering the "letters" referred to in this article came out in October. but i guess Barney was still winning at that time so the allegations weren't as serious then.

 

 

*That Barnett failed to take any action against some football players suspected of inappropriate behavior, including an instance in which he failed to discipline a player who was the subject of a criminal sexual-assault investigation.

i'm not defending Barnett here but it says the player was being "Investigated". not convicted, not even charged. The player could be guilty as hell but shouldn't be suspended just for being "investigated".

that said, with Barnett i doubt it would make much of a difference whether the player was investigated, charged, or convicted. As long as Barney can find a rug to sweep it under its all the same thing.

 

*That NCAA violations occurred during Barnett's tenure at CU, running the gamut from a charge that the Buffaloes sometimes used 10 coaches on the sideline instead of the nine that are allowed to assertions players were tipped off, well in advance, of the days when they would be subjected to what were supposed to be random drug tests. The letter also accused Barnett's recruiting program of hosting extravagant meals and taking prospects and players to clubs that served alcohol.

B/c of the "10 coaches instead of 9" bit, i couldn't help but think that whoever sent in these letters is REALLY laying all out on the table when you even get nitpicking things like that! or am i just understating the seriousness of breaking that rule?

 

 

you know, its really too bad if Barnett does get fired b/c he's really just a perfect fit for CU.