DENVER -- Between working on his golf game and catching some
fish, Gary Barnett finds time to watch his former team. He caught
the final quarter of Colorado's 21-3 loss to Arizona State.
"It was a tough game for them," Barnett said.
While Barnett has been relegated to the press box following his
firing from Colorado last December, he still keeps close tabs on
his former players who have yet to win under Dan Hawkins.
"It's hard for me to believe that the players that I can no
longer coach are 0-3," Barnett said.
Barnett isn't entirely removed from football. He's a commentator
for the USA Radio Network for pro and college games and was in the
broadcast booth for the Kansas City-Denver game Sunday.
He'd rather be pacing the sidelines.
"Absolutely," Barnett said. "I think the three obstacles that
I had to get over were spring ball, the first day of meetings with
coaches and players and the first game. I've gotten through those
and I'm still standing."
Barnett won four Big 12 North titles and a Big 12 championship
in his seven seasons in Boulder, where he went 49-38.
His program was tainted by scandal, however, with allegations
that recruits were enticed with sex and alcohol. There were also
accusations of sexual assault, although no charges were filed.
Barnett made dismissive comments about kicker Katie Hnida after
she said she was sexually assaulted by a player in 2004. He was
placed on administrative leave for three months after his remarks.
The Buffs went 8-5 upon his return and he was honored as conference
coach of the year honors in 2004.
Asked if he had any animosity toward Colorado, Barnett smiled.
"I'm not going to answer that one," he said. "But my life has
gone on."
Barnett is using the time away from coaching to see how he feels
about a return. He has a radio show with Fox each Thursday and will
be involved in a BCS-themed show this fall.
"I'm watching every game out there and trying to figure out if
I can live without it," Barnett said. "I'm going to use this
(time) to sort of figure out if I do or do not want to coach. I'm
going to be as objective as possible."
He still stays in touch with his former coaches, talking to them
at least once a week, he said.
With no coaching to occupy his time, Barnett has lowered his
handicap on the golf course near his home in Red Feathers Lakes,
just north of Fort Collins. He's also found time to do some
reading.
"I'm plenty busy," Barnett said.