Spare Change

Sometimes, 'Finale' is Pronounced 'Finally'

Posted by Bryan

The University of Colorado, my alma mater fired Gary Barnett as football coach.

What did he accomplish in his tenure?

• He got to four Big Twelve Champeenships, winning one.
• He helmed a football administration that recruited poorly, despite employing tactics that were likely illegall and certainly immoral.
• He demeaned a female football player publicly with words I can only assume he never would have used for a male player, in a pathetic, embarrassing effort to strengthen his own position.

He managed to finagle a contract that was so ridiculous that he was able to keep his job through all of it. When other teams were firing coaches for going 8-3, Barnett kept his while losing 5 games a season. It was enough to cause loyal fan to start rooting for Nebraska.

Okay, I exaggerate.

However, it was these last three games, in which the Buffaloes lost by a combined score of 130-22, that caused the power brokers to say "enough," and cut the coach loose, even though it will cost $3 million to say goodbye.

Just so you know, there is no equivalent to that in ministry.Or at least not in any ministry circles in my universe.

Isn't it funny how an administration can stomach so much controversy, until your team loses 70-3 in a championship game. Colorado shouldn't be losing 70-3 to anybody.

Not even Texas.

Now, the search is on for his replacement. Dave Logan is an early candidate. Dave, you might remember, is former NFL player, current voice of the Denver Broncos, and Colorado high school coach. He also has a drive-time sports talk show in Denver where he gabs with former NBAer Scott Hastings. I like Dave, but he's a sports personality now. If I need surgery, I want a real doctor, not one like Dr. Platt.

John Embree, the tight ends coach at UCLA (and former Buff) is being considered. I like that prospect, given that their tight end just was named the best in the country. I would also like to remind those responsible for the search (likely all devoted SC readers), of another Buffalo on the Bruins coaching staff, who also happens to be the head of recruiting there. You want to repave the inroads to California, invest in Eric "Public" Bienemy. If he's not ready to be the head coach, well okey dokey. But bring him back to Folsom Field in some important capacity and see what he can do.

December 10, 2005 7:34 AM