Notes from the red zone. … At Miami, at Oklahoma State, at Texas, at Kansas State, at Iowa State.
Gary Barnett calls it the toughest road schedule in the country, and he may be right. But even if it leads to CU finishing with a losing record, don’t count on it costing Barnett his job.
Barnett’s star has been rising with new A.D. Mike Bohn since word came in the spring that 79 percent of Barnett’s freshman class had graduated from CU, well above the NCAA average of 58 percent. Bohn, in the aftermath of the report, has every intention of offering Barnett an extension, even if things get dicey on the wins-and-losses front.
“No,” said Bohn when asked if Barnett had to have a winning record to stay on. “We keep score in this business, we recognize that. But part of that score is graduation rates, and 79 percent is outstanding. Wins and losses absolutely are a big part of the formula, but they’re just part of the formula.
“I can tell you in the time I’ve been here, I’ve been very proud of what Gary stands for. … That 79 percent is phenomenal. He should be very proud of that. This university should be proud of that. … That’s a good example of a byproduct of what he stands for. At the right time, we’re going to sit down and have an opportunity to work it out.” …
Got a rare interview with Bill McCartney the other day. So, of course, being an intrepid reporter, I had to ask him if he ever thought about coaching again. His response: “Ever hear of Over-the-Hill Bill? He’s toast.” …
Just wondering: What was the over/under on the number of cameras Tiger Woods’ caddie would throw in the lake during Tiger’s opening-round 75 at the PGA? …
Post Broncos writer Mike Klis believes it is conceivable that if the bad Jake Plummer shows up one too many times this season, Bradlee Van Pelt could push him for the starting QB job. Go ahead, laugh, but know this: Mike Shanahan isn’t about to tolerate 20 interceptions from Plummer again. …
Which brings us to the trade that sent Washington’s 2006 first-rounder to the Broncos. Make no doubt, it was done with an eye on Southern Cal QB Matt Leinart. If the ‘Skins go in the tank and Plummer makes bonehead mistakes, Shanahan will pull every trick out of his bag to land the Trojans’ latest Heisman winner. …
Ten years ago, I suggested that someone ought to sell “Bichette Happens” T-shirts outside Coors Field. A week later, some guy was hawking them at 20th and Blake. In my continuing effort to support the local economy, how about “In Todd We Disgust” T-shirts outside the Pepsi Center when the Canucks come to town? …
From the last-laugh dept.: A year ago, Giants pitchers called catcher A.J. Pierzynski “a clubhouse cancer.” A year later, Pierzynski is a major player for the White Sox, the team with the best record in the bigs. The Giants? The Rockies are all that separates them from last place in baseball’s worst division. …
Your American League MVP? Johnny Damon. Forget his league-leading batting average. Can you imagine playing center field for the Red Sox? Trot Nixon and Manny Ramirez, the Sox’s corner outfielders, have less range than the Yankee Stadium monuments. …
Catch Jim Armstrong from 6-9 a.m. during “The Press Box” on ESPN 560 am, and on Fox Sports Net’s “Insider Edition.” He can be reached at 303-820-5452 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
