Gary Barnett

Gary Barnett
Barnett before the 2002 Fiesta Bowl
Gary Barnett
Born	Gary Lee Barnett 5/23/1946
Birthplace	Lakeland, Florida, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Former college football coach
Known for	Head coach at Northwestern University (1992–1998) and University of Colorado (1999–2005); leading Northwestern to the 1996 Rose Bowl
Education	University of Missouri
Awards	Big Ten Coach of the Year (1995); Big 12 Coach of the Year (2001)

Gary Lee Barnett (born May 23, 1946) is an American former college football player and coach whose career spanned more than three decades, from high school sidelines in Colorado to the pinnacle of major college football. He is best known for engineering one of the most dramatic turnarounds in college football history at Northwestern University, where his 1995 team won the Big Ten Conference championship — the program's first since 1936 — and advanced to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1949. Barnett later served as head coach at the University of Colorado at Boulder from 1999 to 2005, where he won the Big 12 Conference championship in 2001 and led the Buffaloes to four Big 12 North Division titles. His tenure at Colorado, however, was overshadowed by a series of off-field scandals involving allegations of sexual misconduct by members of the football program, which led to his suspension and eventual dismissal. Over the course of his head coaching career at Fort Lewis College, Northwestern, and Colorado, Barnett compiled an overall record of 92–94–2.

Early Life

Gary Lee Barnett was born on May 23, 1946, in Lakeland, Florida. Details of his childhood and upbringing in Florida remain limited in public sources, but Barnett's path to football began early and would eventually lead him to the University of Missouri, where he played as a wide receiver for the Missouri Tigers football team from 1966 to 1969.

Education

Barnett attended the University of Missouri, where he was a member of the football team. He played as a wide receiver for the Tigers during the 1966 through 1969 seasons. After completing his playing career, Barnett remained at Missouri to begin his coaching career as a graduate assistant.

Career

Early Coaching Career (1969–1983)

Following the conclusion of his playing career at Missouri, Barnett served as a graduate assistant coach with the Tigers from 1969 to 1971. He then moved to Colorado, where he coached at Air Academy High School from 1972 to 1981, spending a full decade working at the high school level and honing his skills as a coach and educator.

In 1982, Barnett received his first head coaching opportunity at the college level when he was named head coach at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. He served in that capacity for two seasons, from 1982 to 1983, gaining experience in program management and collegiate-level competition before moving to a larger stage.

Assistant Coach at Colorado (1984–1991)

Barnett joined the University of Colorado football staff as an assistant coach in 1984, initially coaching running backs. Over the next several years, he took on additional responsibilities, coaching quarterbacks and fullbacks from 1985 to 1990. By 1991, he had been elevated to offensive coordinator while continuing to coach quarterbacks and fullbacks. His time on the Colorado staff coincided with a period of considerable success for the Buffaloes program, and his work as an assistant coach and coordinator helped establish his reputation as an effective offensive mind in college football.

Northwestern University (1992–1998)

Rebuilding a Program

In 1992, Barnett was named head football coach at Northwestern University, taking the helm of what was widely considered one of the most challenging jobs in major college football. Northwestern had endured decades of losing seasons and was often regarded as the weakest football program in the Big Ten Conference. The Wildcats had not won a conference championship since 1936 and had not appeared in a Rose Bowl since 1949.

Barnett's early years at Northwestern were marked by the grinding work of building a competitive foundation. The program's academic requirements, limited stadium capacity, and historical lack of success made recruiting a significant challenge. Barnett focused on developing a culture of discipline and competitiveness, recruiting players who fit the academic profile of the university while also possessing the athletic ability to compete in the Big Ten.

The 1995 Season and the Rose Bowl

The 1995 season at Northwestern stands as one of the most remarkable turnarounds in the history of college football. Under Barnett's guidance, the Wildcats won the Big Ten Conference championship, ending a 59-year drought for the program. The championship earned Northwestern a berth in the Rose Bowl, the program's first appearance in Pasadena since January 1949. The Wildcats' improbable run captured national attention, and the team became one of the most celebrated Cinderella stories in the sport's history.

The 1995 season brought Barnett widespread recognition, and he was named Big Ten Coach of the Year. The success also attracted attention from other programs seeking a head coach. Following the 1996 season, Barnett was offered the head coaching position at Notre Dame, one of the most prestigious jobs in college football. In a decision that drew significant media attention, Barnett ultimately declined the offer and chose to remain at Northwestern.

Continued Success and Departure

Northwestern continued to compete under Barnett's leadership, winning a second Big Ten title in 1996. The back-to-back conference championships represented an extraordinary achievement for a program that had been among the nation's least successful for decades. Barnett's ability to sustain the program's competitiveness in the years following the 1995 breakthrough further cemented his standing in the coaching profession.

Despite his decision to turn down Notre Dame, speculation about Barnett's future continued throughout his later years at Northwestern. By the late 1990s, as the initial glow of the 1995 and 1996 seasons faded and the challenges of maintaining a winning program at Northwestern remained significant, Barnett began to explore other opportunities. A 1997 report in the Chicago Tribune discussed the ongoing dynamics surrounding Barnett and the Northwestern program.

Barnett ultimately left Northwestern following the 1998 season to accept the head coaching position at the University of Colorado, where he had previously served as an assistant and offensive coordinator.

A 2017 Chicago Tribune retrospective examined Barnett's legacy at Northwestern, particularly in the context of the program's long-term development and the lasting impact of the 1995 season on the university's athletic identity.

University of Colorado (1999–2005)

Return to Boulder

In 1999, Barnett returned to the University of Colorado as head football coach, succeeding Rick Neuheisel. The move represented a homecoming of sorts for Barnett, who had spent eight years as an assistant on the Colorado staff during the 1980s and early 1990s. He was familiar with the program, its traditions, and the recruiting landscape of the region, and he was tasked with restoring Colorado to national prominence within the Big 12 Conference.

2001 Season and Big 12 Championship

Barnett's most successful season at Colorado came in 2001, when the Buffaloes won the Big 12 Conference championship. The team won the Big 12 North Division and advanced to the conference championship game, earning Barnett recognition as Big 12 Coach of the Year. The 2001 Buffaloes also earned a berth in the Fiesta Bowl, one of the premier postseason games in college football.

The 2001 season demonstrated Barnett's ability to build competitive programs at the highest level of college football. Colorado's success that year continued into the following seasons, as the Buffaloes won the Big 12 North Division again in 2002, 2004, and 2005, making Barnett's teams a consistent presence at the top of their division during this period.

Recruiting Scandal and Suspension

Barnett's tenure at Colorado was significantly damaged by a series of off-field incidents that emerged publicly beginning in 2004. Allegations of sexual misconduct by several members of the football team prompted a major investigation and intense media scrutiny. The scandal raised serious questions about the culture of the football program and the oversight exercised by its coaching staff.

On February 19, 2004, the University of Colorado placed Barnett on paid administrative leave pending a review of the situation. The decision came amid growing public pressure and widespread media coverage of the allegations. CNN reported on the unfolding crisis at the time, detailing the nature of the allegations and the university's response.

Barnett was eventually reinstated and allowed to resume coaching duties. He continued to lead the program through the 2005 season, during which the Buffaloes again won the Big 12 North Division title. However, the cloud of the scandal continued to hang over the program, and questions about Barnett's leadership during the period of the alleged misconduct persisted.

Dismissal

On December 8, 2005, the University of Colorado dismissed Barnett as head football coach. The decision came at the conclusion of the 2005 season and was attributed to the university's desire to move the program in a new direction following years of controversy. Despite the on-field success of the 2004 and 2005 seasons, including two more division titles, the administration determined that a change in leadership was necessary.

The University of Colorado's official athletics website documented Barnett's record and tenure with the program during his final season.

Barnett's overall record as a head coach across his three head coaching stops — Fort Lewis College, Northwestern, and Colorado — was 92–94–2. His bowl record stood at 2–4, and his conference championship résumé included two Big Ten titles (1995 and 1996), one Big 12 title (2001), and four Big 12 North Division championships (2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005).

Post-Coaching Career

After his dismissal from Colorado, Barnett transitioned away from coaching. He later took on a role as a radio commentator, joining KOA Radio in Denver. In this capacity, Barnett provided analysis and commentary on college football and sports topics, maintaining a connection to the sport and to the Colorado community.

Barnett also became involved in philanthropic activities through the Gary Barnett Foundation, which has focused on charitable work and community engagement.

Personal Life

Barnett has maintained a relatively private personal life outside of his public roles as a coach and commentator. After settling in Colorado during his years as a high school coach and later as a college assistant, he developed deep roots in the state. His philanthropic work through the Gary Barnett Foundation has reflected an ongoing commitment to community service following his departure from coaching.

Recognition

Barnett received numerous accolades during his coaching career. His most significant honors included being named Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year following the 1995 season, when he led Northwestern to its first conference championship in 59 years and its first Rose Bowl berth in 46 years. He was also recognized as Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year in 2001 after leading Colorado to the conference championship.

The 1995 Northwestern season remains one of the most frequently cited examples of a dramatic turnaround in college football history. Barnett's role in transforming the Wildcats from perennial cellar-dwellers to conference champions earned him a prominent place in Northwestern's athletic history. His decision to turn down the Notre Dame coaching position in 1996 further elevated his status among Northwestern supporters, who viewed the decision as a powerful statement of loyalty to the program.

At Colorado, Barnett's on-field achievements — including a conference championship and four division titles — represented a productive period for the program, though these accomplishments were significantly diminished in the public eye by the scandals that marked his later years in Boulder.

An ESPN retrospective examined Barnett's career and the complex legacy he left in college football, noting both the highs of the Northwestern transformation and the controversies at Colorado.

Legacy

Gary Barnett's legacy in college football is defined by contrasting chapters. The Northwestern turnaround of 1995 remains a landmark achievement in the sport. Before Barnett's arrival, the program had been mired in decades of losing, and the notion that Northwestern could compete for a Big Ten championship — let alone reach the Rose Bowl — was considered fanciful. Barnett's success in transforming the Wildcats demonstrated that strong coaching and cultural change could overcome institutional disadvantages in recruiting and resources. The 1995 season inspired a generation of Northwestern alumni and supporters and contributed to a lasting improvement in the program's competitive standing and national profile.

At Colorado, Barnett proved capable of producing results at a program with greater resources, winning the Big 12 championship and consistently competing for division titles. However, the recruiting scandal and sexual misconduct allegations that emerged during his tenure cast a long shadow over those achievements. The controversy at Colorado became a national story and raised broader questions about accountability in college athletics, the conduct of recruiting practices, and the responsibilities of head coaches in overseeing the behavior of their players and staff. Barnett's suspension and eventual dismissal underscored the consequences that programs and coaches could face when off-field conduct undermined the integrity of an athletic department.

The Encyclopædia Britannica has noted that Barnett's on-field successes were "marred by off-field" events, capturing the duality that defines his place in college football history.

Barnett's career record of 92–94–2 as a head coach, combined with three conference championships across two conferences, places him among coaches who achieved significant highs but whose overall body of work encompasses both triumph and controversy.