Does CSU Have The Pride To Make The Right Hire?

By G The Producer (Mile High Sports Radio)

Does CSU have enough pride in themselves to make the right hire? Initial indications say no.

As discussed last Wednesday on Buffalo Chips, is now being "first" reported by Chris Dempsey for the Denver Post reported that former Colorado, Northwestern, Colorado again, then Black-Listed Coach Gary Barnett is interested in the Colorado State job.

It would be a step in the right direction for the Rams, a Coach with a proven track record on the field, taking less than top talent and turning it into something presentable (see Northwestern to the Rose Bowl).

But does CSU have the pride to make the hire? Indications say, "not a shot in hell!"

Why do I say it like that?

A booster walked into an Athletics Department... sounds like the beginning to a really bad joke. But when it ends, "walked out with the job as Athletics Director," it turns out it's not a bad joke at all. It's actually a HILARIOUS one!

CSU and The DP can spin it anyway they want, Jack Graham did not get the job as CSU's AD by being a former CSU Quarterback... he got it by being a booster.

Pride? None. Not even Phil Knight was given the keys like Graham was, and we've heard of Phil Knight and he can also crush Jack Graham with his wallet.

Don't kill the messenger, but you can't tell me there was any pride from the administration when you hear, "a booster walks into the AD's office... and walks out with his job."

A short list brings up the idea of reaching back out to Louis "Sonny" Lubick. Pride again folks... There was a reason he was fired in the first place. The rest of the reported "short list" for the Rams is less than exciting. Tony Alford is reportedly on the list...

"What's that?"

"Who is Tony Alford?!

Come on!..

You know, Tony... he's a... uhh...

Hold on, let me check..."

My research indicates he is a former CSU assistant coach, currently the Wide Receivers Coach at Notre Dame. Yes! Man, that was difficult. I searched for him on Wikipedia and the search that came back said, "Who the f*** is Tony Alford?"

Hasn't CSU taken this road before (bringing back a former Assistant Coach)? At least they had the fortitude to hire a former assistant who was failing in the NFL with Steve Fairchild... Now one failing as a Position Coach in the Independent sector of the NCAA?

Get real Rams, you're not an attractive destination for anything remotely close to PROVEN.

But when it's reported that Gary Barnett is interested in living in your Cow Town, and coaching your monstrosity in which you call a football team... You remove your hands from that udder, sprint out of that stable, find a phone and hire him before Buff Chips... err, Chris Dempsey has time to spill it on to the airwaves... err, internet.

Does he come with baggage? Yes.

Is there going to be backlash from the media (as one of my confidants and CSU alums recently told me). No.

Don't believe me, take a look at Washington State. Not even Craig James was given the chance to spill his diarrhea-mouth concoction of media spin on ESPN. Why? Washington State is irrelevant for one, and no one cares number two.

The media, ie-ESPN, requires that you be relevant for them to report about it. The truth of the matter is, Gary Barnett will make you relevant. He has done it before. He will do it again.

Let me put into these terms... There is one game per year, played in an NFL stadium (most of the time) that shapes the entire year, does it not? Wouldn't you like a Coach with the proven track record, who is motivated to get another shot (most likely his last shot) at Coaching, and especially one who has an axe to grind in that game?

The Rocky Mountain Showdown is emotional enough for the Rams (I would know, I'm the youngest of 4 boys in my family. I know what it feels like to be the little brother. The difference is, I now own the BCS around the Thanksgiving Tables if you know what I mean... where was I?).. but to add a Coach who will work 365 days a year on figuring out how to beat his former employer?

If you have any gull, any pride at all... You will jump on hiring Gary Barnett, a coach notorious for taking less and making more... Well, that and EPIC parties! A coach who has been to the pinnacle as an Assistant Coach, and to the cusp as a Head Coach.

Want to take a shot at CU-Boulder, Mr. Booster-AD Guy?

Hire Gary Barnett.

Gary Barnett... A tender touch

Embree, Buffs Must Take Advantage of Narrow Window

Buffs have a unique opportunity to gain ground in the Pac-12, but must act fast to avoid same fate as the previous regime.
By G The Producer (Mile High Sports); 11:04:42am: October 1, 2011

The same landscape is forming... the one similar to the kind that allowed Coach Mac to bring CU to College Football Glory.

Many attribute the Buffs turnaround in the 80-90's to Texas and Oklahoma (and the rest of the Big 8) experiencing down years due to turnover.

The stars are aligning as Coach Embree et al are going to have the chance to take advantage of a "rebuilding" Pac-12 Conference. The difference? The window to capitalize is small. Embree and the Buffs must find a way to win, and win now. Win in the classroom, win in the weightroom, win in recruiting, and win on the field.
----------------
Arizona

Rich-Rod is coming to town. His name and reputation precedes itself. However, you can't question his unique scheme and record won't speak for itself in recruiting. Rodriguez is known for his efficiency with a unique variation of the spread offense. Did he fail at Michigan? Sure... As a head coach. As an offensive coordinator? No. Rodriguez never had a chance at Michigan, he was an unpopular hire form the start, and in the end it was his failings to hire an adequate defensive coordinator and his lack of being a "Michigan Man," that did him in.

It's only a matter of time before Rich-Rod has the guys in place to light up the scoreboard on the West Coast. But for now, their recruiting class is in turmoil, with the prospects they have still committed looking elsewhere. Arizona is left with only one "solid verbal" from a 4-star recruit. His failures at Michigan will have some turnover, but in the end it will give him credibility.

Turn-over Prediction: 2 years
---------------
Arizona State

No one yet knows who leads the campaign to pick up the pieces from this season's shipwreck led by Dennis Erickson. But whoever it is, shouldn't have a problem keeping the ship afloat in Tempe. Recruiting pitch? (See picture).

The new head coach in Tempe has undoubtedly just inherited the best available job in the Pac-12. Recruiting will become important, but the coach will be poised to win immediately. How come? The Sun Devils were on the fast track to the Pac-12 Title Game, and an epic rematch with Oregon. But James Cameron could not have depicted a ship sinking like this... (What? No Titanic references? Too Soon? My apologies)

The difference? All 6'8" of QB Brock Osweiler. Is there any question that this kid is destined to play on Sundays? He's only a Sophomore. The new staff will have one, maybe two more years. And a QB alone is worth 4-5 extra wins at the College Level.

Turn-Over Prediction: Win next year, then 2 years of rebuilding.
----------------
Cal-Berkeley

Have you ever seen a team with such talent, year in and year out, and deliver such mediocre results? It begs the question to how much time Jeff Tedford has left in Berkeley. They currently sit with only 8 verbal commitments as of today.

Whether it's Tedford or a new coach, they are sure to get a new infusion of prestige. Their academic standing speaks for itself, but couple it with a brand new bazillion-dollar facility and reconstruction of their stadium, they will take a giant leap in the arms race.

While Cal isn't in need of rebuilding, they will stay on course as an above average program for a few years, Tedford hasn't shown the ability to do anything different.

Turnover Prediction: 2 years with Tedford, 3-4 with a new coach.
------------------
Oregon Ducks

Enough said.

TurnoverDownfall Prediction: Don't hold your breath
--------------------------











Oregon State


The problem for the Beavers is that they are too enamored by competing with their in-state rival Oregon. The truth is, that for now, that's a lost cause.

But it looks like Mike Riley might actually survive this horrible season. Which is good news for the Buffs and the rest of the "Pac." In my opinion this is a place that has a lot to offer, but for whatever reason has not had the success to build the excitement around the program to become a contender. CU Football of the Northwest?

Turnover Prediction: 4 years
------------------------
Stanford Cardinals

The architect of this turnaround has taken his talents to San Fran (my apologies to Lebron). The next step? A once in a life-time QB Talent will be playing on Sunday's next year. A combination of those two factors, plus a total lack of support for athletics by the local community, Stanford should start looking more like Stanford any time now.

Prediction: Stanford is good at reading and math and stuff. Football, ehh?
------------------------

More soon...

Tonight on Buffalo Chips Radio

Buff Chips salutes 2011 Seniors with tonight's guests

S, Anthony Perkins, SR. - 10:20pm MST
A captain on the defense, Anthony missed time this season due to injury. But the undisputed leader on the defense, he limped his ailing body out onto the field at Utah and led the Buffs D to a Buffs W.
The local kid from Northglenn finished his career with more than 85 tackles, and 3 interceptions.

WR, Toney Clemons, SR. - 10:40pm MST
After transferring from Michigan, T-Clem amassed over 1,000 yards and 11 TD's receiving in his career in Boulder. After finishing 2nd in receiving in 2010, Toney finished his career as the Buffs leading receiver in 2011.
Toney is from New Kensington, PA.

QB, Tyler Hansen, SR. - 11:00pm MST
The clear leader and captain on the offense, Tyler Hansen finishes his career at CU facing a lot of adversity along the way.
Tyler finished 4th on CU's all-time passing leaders list in passing yards, and 3rd in passing TD's.
Tyler is from Murrieta, CA.

~Posted by G The Producer (Mile High Sports: KCKK Littleton/Denver)
Wednesday, November 30, 2011; 3:36pm.