Despite report, CU coach keeps his daily routine

B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News

Published December 8, 2005 at midnight

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BOULDER - His days at the University of Colorado might be numbered, but football coach Gary Barnett put in a full day's work at the school Wednesday.

Other than a meeting Wednesday night with CU athletic director Mike Bohn, it was business as usual for Barnett.

It also was business as usual - almost - for his players, who went to class, worked out, then went home without knowing who might be their coach today or when they play Dec. 27 against Clemson in the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando, Fla.

Barnett and his team were caught off-guard by a published report that said Barnett would not receive a contract extension.

It was a bulletin to Barnett, who said in radio interviews he had not been notified by Bohn of any decision about his future. The two did discuss the coach's future later in the day.

Bohn, before returning from a three- day trip to New York, told The Associated Press the story in The Denver Post, which cited an unidentified source close to contract negotiations, was "speculation. . . . It's inappropriate for me to comment at this time."

Asked if Barnett's dismissal was imminent, Bohn said, "No, I wouldn't say that."

If CU fires him, it must buy out the remaining year of his contract and pay him about $1.6 million of the $2 million retention clause owed him if he stayed for the duration of the contract, which was extended in 2002.

CU sports information director Dave Plati said the school had not planned an announcement on Barnett's future Wednesday and was unsure if an announcement would be made today.

Barnett's players were met by a scene reminiscent of the 2004 football recruiting scandal, the low-water mark for the program under Barnett until the Buffaloes closed the regular season with three consecutive losses.

The last two of the losses were by a combined score of 100-6 - 30-3 against Nebraska on Nov. 25 at Folsom Field and 70-3 against Texas on Saturday in the Big 12 Conference championship game in Houston.

Television news trucks were parked outside the Dal Ward Athletics Center, and reporters and photographers milled about in the building's lobby.

About 6:30 p.m., Barnett skirted the scene without commenting, leaving by a back entrance and hopping into a waiting luxury car.

Neither Barnett nor Bohn returned telephone calls seeking comment.

Most of Barnett's players were stunned by the day's events.

"I'm just praying it will never happen," running back Kevin Moyd said of the possibility of Barnett being fired. "He's a good coach. I don't know if the next person would be as dedicated or as nice as he is. . . . He's my coach until I'm told otherwise."

Moyd, a freshman from Miami, said he would remain at CU regardless of what happens with Barnett.

Senior tight end Quinn Sypniew- ski said he worked out with Barnett in the Dal Ward weight room Wednesday morning, "and (Barnett) didn't know what was going on. He said all he knew was what he'd read and heard on TV and radio."

Sypniewski said he was "shocked" by the report. "I almost felt kind of betrayed. . . . He's done so much for the university and they're kind of turning their back on him.

"Even if they changed the football staff and it doesn't have the support from the university, it's not going to succeed. The only thing that needs to change here is the outlook of the administration and the faculty."

Barnett had the backing of most of his players until the end.

During a team meeting Monday, the first since CU's loss against Texas, at least one player reportedly questioned Barnett about some of his postgame comments.

A source close to the football program said the meeting became contentious when Barnett was told by a player, "You tell us to be careful what we say in the media, maybe you should, too."

The reference was to Barnett's remarks about the Buffaloes' early turnover against the Longhorns, after which he added, "Who knows how the game would have unfolded if we had gone on (to score)? We knew Texas was going to beat us probably, but we were going to be able to get some points on the board."

Barnett reportedly produced a tape of his comments, discussed them with the team, then said the matter was closed.

If Barnett is let go, the position likely will be hotly pursued.

A groundswell of interest from some former Buffaloes players already is pushing UCLA assistant Jon Embree, a former CU player and staffer.

"Coach Barnett is a good man and I hate to see him go, but I think (Embree) would be a great replacement," former CU quarterback/tight end Adam Bledsoe said. "There are a number of former players already getting behind coach Embree; I think it would be good to get one of the old-school players back in the program."

Embree said he has an interest in the job if it becomes available.

Other names being mentioned if a coaching search begins are Louisiana State defensive coordinator Bo Pellini, Arkansas coach Houston Nutt, Tulsa coach Steve Krag-thorpe, Boise State coach Dan Hawkins and Wyoming coach Joe Glenn.

CU assistant head coach Brian Cabral, a Buffaloes staffer for 17 seasons, said he has applied for the vacancy at the University of Northern Colorado.

brooksb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-5466

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