Dead Coach Walking: Gary Barnett, of the University of Colorado football team
Published February 19, 2004
"I was deeply disturbed by the comments Coach Barnett made, focusing more on her kicking ability than on the message at hand, which is that we really need to address the sexual assault. I told him that his remarks were totally unacceptable and I have told him that I do not expect to hear any more such remarks. I have told him in no uncertain terms that that was an unacceptable remark."
University of Colorado President Elizabeth Hoffman, quoted in this morning's New York Times.
Barnett gave an interview Tuesday in which he talked about the uproar over his former girl place-kicker Katie Hnida's allegation that she had been raped by a teammate.
Barnett said, "It was obvious Katie was not very good. She was awful. You know what guys do? They respect your ability. You can be 90 years old, but if you can go out and play, they'll respect you. Katie was not only a girl, she was terrible. OK? There's no other way to say it."
STOP PRESS - THIS JUST IN:
Barnett was placed on administrative leave late last night, after the Times went to press. Here's the latest update, on USA Today's website. Bye bye, Gary, it was fun while it lasted. You'll be fired later today, most likely.
I am SO delighted that women are more and more becoming presidents of major universities, 'cause this kind of shit has been going on for far, far too long. You GO Elizabeth!
- Dead Coach Walking: Gary Barnett, of the University of Colorado football team
- Published: February 19, 2004
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- Section: Culture
- Writer: bookofjoe
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I'm apalled that Gary Barnett has been suspended by a University for his expression of free speech. Obviously,these so called 'Educators' have become so dependant upon public funds for their financial futures that they are so afraid of special intersest that they do not have the courage to stand for the truth. Thank God that I (and most of my friends)have reached the point that we no longer have to cater to the "politically correct" (and obviously politically powerful) and can still speak candidly and truthfully and with common sense. I can't wait for the pendulum to swing. I commend you Coach Barnett for your courage to tell the truth. JPK
I think what is a firing offense is if he allowed, or promoted the "sex parties" in which these girls were raped.
No, Coach Barnett I don't know what guys do....i.e. Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Benicio Del Toro, Tommie Lee Jones; what would they have said to Katie Hnida?....Mr. Barnett bringing up his comments about Ms. Hnida's skill level when he did, in the tone of voice he did, leads me to believe he may "know" more than he says he does about "Sex in the City". Yeah, I appreciate ability shown on the field. I also appreciate character - Barry Sanders titheing 10% of his $2 mil contract years back to his church at the signing, Mark McGwire starting a foundation for abused kids, Mia Hamm starting a foundation for people with the blood disease that took her brother's life, Juan Gonzalez taking some of his salary back to the Dominican to his home town. Those folks all proved their ability. Also, they showed a character along with their amazing skills.
Gary Barnett is just a prick through and through. I spent 32 of my 34 years in Knoxville. While Gary Barnett was coach at North Western he got lucky enough to play Tennessee in a big bowl. Leading up to the game he made some controversial prick assed remarks about UT and our program. His team played a weak schedule allowing the bowl selectors to feel sorry for the usually losing bastards. My point is that we smoked North Westerns ass in the Citrus Bowl and shut him up.
The comments were mostly aired in Knoxville and around his campus, but he's got a long history of being a loud mouthed, illadvised comment making,smartass PRICK!!!
Why did Colorado even hire him? As I said above the biggest game of his North Western career was against Tennessee and he got embarassed.
He's not a Tom Osbourne, Bobby Bowden, Steve Spurrier or Philip Fulmer. All with recent national titles and normally a pre-season top 10. I wish Katie Hinda would beat his ass.
His biggest game of his career was obviously the Notre Dame win in 1995, and second was beating Michigan in Ann Arbor, and then again the next year. The Rose Bowl against USC was a much bigger game than that Citrus Bowl the next year. I'd rate about 10 other games in his carrer at Northwestern bigger than the citrus bowl. And Guess what? Northwestern is one word, duh! Do Tenn Es See?
Um...you spoke to soon. Better learn more about the legal process before you boldly predict who will be fired. No criminal charges were ever filed concerning the alleged rapes. Also, Barnett's contract stated he could not be fired without "just cause." None was ever proved. The feminist witch hunt failed. Deal with it.
This is a terrific man hating site. Congrats
In reading most comments here, I see that people don't understand the press. Items are taken out of context to create hype that sells.
Well, if someone keeps pushing me to give a remark on an obvious situation in Katie's kicking game... I'd give up and say the same thing.... i'd say, "quit bugging me... she sucks, she's horrible, she's there for one reason, publicity ok?" so lay off barnett. The problem is girls want the same treatment as men, but they don't want any of the same responsibilities that comes with it.
i dont know what katies trying to prove. she makes us women look bad. It is a womens place to stay home. let the men do all the work... i swear, some girls are just too ignorant to accept this.
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I don't know a thing about University of Colorado football except this story. But I don't think those comments, in and of themselves, are a firing offense. He didn't call her a liar or say she deserved it because she was a bad player. It sounds like he's in trouble because he didn't specifically say "sexual assault is bad."