Buffs' Barnett speaks out

Sporting News, The, August 2, 2004 by Steve Greenberg

Gary Barnett has been called insensitive, evasive, irresponsible--and worse--since an avalanche of allegations of sexual misconduct by Barnett's Colorado football players and recruits began hitting the headlines six months ago. Suspended by the university in February after a disastrous press conference in which he described alleged rape victim and former placekicker Katie Hnida as a "terrible" player, Barnett is back in charge of the Buffs, hoping to exercise better control over the program and get on with football. He discussed that and more in an interview last week with Sporting, News Radio host Tim Brando.

On his comments about Katie Hnida: "I answered a question; it was the 29th question of the particular session. I answered it in a way that was obviously insensitive, but it got played back as a response to a separate question. That created everything that pretty much happened to me."

On the lack of public support he received from other coaches: "They may not have done a lot publicly, but privately, many of the guys in Division I and across the country either dropped notes or made calls or sent me e-mails.... One of the reasons is (Florida State's Bobby Bowden) came out publicly and got trounced. It was a lot easier, a lot better and probably meant more for them to come out privately, send me notes and do things the way they did."

On preparing for the season: "If there's ever been a team that can take on the theme of 'us against the world; it's going to be us this year because we've felt like we've had the world watching us or scrutinizing us or criticizing us for six months."

Listen to the full Barnett interview at radio.sportingnews.com/audiovault. The Tim Brando Show airs weekdays from 3-6 p.m. ET on Sporting News Radio.