Barnett On Paid Leave, Doesn't Get It



One of CSTB's more inquisitive readers recently asked why there had been no commentary on the legal troubles of Miami recruit/acclaimed blogger Willie Williams. And that's a simple question to answer : who gives a fuck? Coveted recruited is feted with lobster tails and human flesh --- where's the story? The Hurricanes bring in a guy with a shady past --- been there, done that and will undoubtedly do it it again.

It's gotta be a very slow day in the worlds of professional sports, cannibalism or deviant sex before CSTB will stoop to cover anything in the world of college football. But thanks to the big mouth of Colorado coach Gary Barnett, I'll make a rare exception.



Barnett's program seems to be facing a new allegation or 2 every day. But the latest bombshell, as reported by C.U. alum Rick Reilly in Sports Illustrated, has former Buffalos walk-on place kicker Katie Hnida claiming that she was raped by one of her teammates.

Hnida, who transferred to New Mexico, was a project of Barnett's predecessor Rick Neuheisal. To what extent that colored Barnett's impression of her kicking skills, however, is neither here nor there. Barnett, struggled to keep these allegations in any sort of perspective yesterday when he said of Hinda, "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. O.K.? There's no other way to say it."

After disavowing Barnett's retarded remarks Wednesday afternoon, university president Elizabeth Hoffman suspended the coach (with pay) late last night. Barnett, incredibly lucky to have a job at this point, replied with "I sincerely regret that yesterday a portion of my remarks were either misinterpreted or taken out of context, and I apologize for answering that question in a manner where I must have come across as insensitive. ... I'm a team player and I will accept President (Becky) Hoffman's decision. While I do not agree with it, I will deal with it like I would expect one of my players to handle his consequences."

"Come across as insensitive" doesn't begin to cover it. Unless Barnett is on the Bill Singer diet or something, how could he not understand that disparaging Hnida as a football player was a nonsensical way of addressing her rape claim? She's got no credibility because she can't kick a field goal? Hnida got what she deserved because she can't kick a field goal? If the coach's remarks were misinterpreted or taken out of context, why doesn't he explain just what he really meant now that he has the opportunity?

I'm struggling to list all of the good things that Big Time college football provides. If you can think of additions to the list below, please let me know :

1) cheap (ie. free) player development for the NFL
2) terrific source of revenue for bookmakers, pharmaceutical companies (rohypnol, human growth hormone),
3) steady employment for Keith Jackson


OK, I think that's it.

Posted: Thu - February 19, 2004 at 06:26 AM      

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