Boulder – There were no tears. Certainly, there were no regrets. Gary Barnett even wore a black-and-gold tie, Colorado’s school colors, to show his continued love for the university that fired him.
That is one point he did make clear at Thursday’s news conference at the Coors Events Center. He did not resign. It was the decision of first-year athletic director Mike Bohn.
“I respect that decision. I didn’t like that decision. I did not resign my position. But I wholeheartedly respect the responsibility and the decisions that leaders have to make,” said Barnett, as his wife, Mary, stood to the side.
Barnett, 59, would not respond to pointed questions about why he was fired, saying he was not “legally bound to give anybody a reason.” It was clear, however, Colorado’s three-game tailspin was a major factor. Only a month ago, he thought a contract extension was a done deal.
After a 7-2 start and with only one victory needed for a fourth North Division title in five years, Colorado lost at Iowa State, 30-16, then was buried by arch rival Nebraska at home in the regular-season finale, 30-3. Colorado backed into the division title the next day when Iowa State lost to Kansas, but CU got humiliated by second- ranked Texas in the Big 12 championship game, 70-3, the third- worst loss in school history.
The 7-5 Buffaloes limp into the Champs Sports Bowl on Dec. 27 against 23rd-ranked Clemson not knowing who will coach the team. Barnett said he won’t.
“Our team has been overly concerned – very concerned – about an extension,” he said. “I think they felt a responsibility to get me an extension, and I think we just ran out of juice. I think the well went dry, and there is no other answer than that.”
The firing ends a controversial last two years for the seven-year coach who outlasted some of his fiercest critics. He survived a recruiting scandal that made national news for weeks early in 2004 and controversial comments about former placekicker Katie Hnida that got him suspended by then-president Betsy Hoffman that same winter.
While Hoffman and athletic director Dick Tharp fell after the scandal, Barnett stayed on, much to his detractors’ chagrin. However, Barnett said he was leaving with his head high.
“We graduated 79 percent (of our players), we’ve got four northern division titles, we’ve got a Big 12 trophy, I’ve got two Big 12 Coach of the Year (trophies),” Barnett said. “I’d probably deem that as a success, but other people might not.”
Barnett received a $3 million buyout but indicated he plans to get back to work soon.
“Right now, I am going to coach again,” he said. “I’m sure of that. When or where, I’m not sure. But today I’d prefer to spend with my players and coaches and thinking a little about what we’ve done rather than what tomorrow brings.”
Whoever replaces Barnett will inherit a North Division power – but one hampered by recruiting restrictions and an incoming class that one recruiting service lists as last in the Big 12 conference with less than two months to go. Facilities have also fallen behind other league competitors.
Barnett, however, sees hope.
“The University of Colorado is a gold mine,” he said. “There’s lots of things that have to happen. The athletic department is part of that, but the whole university has a role in that as well. Mike’s been given the charge to do his part of it. But this could be as good a place as there is in the country.”
Staff writer John Henderson can be reached at 303-820-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com.
