[NU Sports] Barnett

[Frank F. Loomis III]

  How about some blatant speculation?
  Yes, I agree, Barnett is on the bubble. That 70-3 loss yesterday is gasoline on the fire.
  And it seems like he has entered a disillusionment stage at Colorado. This is old hat for him. He did to us starting in late ‘97. His "I don’t like here anymore" era lasted through most of ‘98. Didn’t he lose all 8 Big Ten games?
  Now. consider this:
  In one of our TV broadcasts he appeared in a half-time tribute to our 1995 Big Ten Championship and Rose Bowl team. He was quite laudatory of the kids and the University. Yet, in response, I have not seen a single comment, good or bad, on any Cat list about that gracious appearance on our half-time show. 
  Then, sometime shortly after our homecoming game an article appeared, I think in a Colorado paper, that during Colorado’s bye week, Barnett attended our game. He was quoted as saying how much he loved the Chicago and Evanston environs, and words to the effect that having been the coach at NU was quite a deal; that he missed the many good things here. Hmmmmm! 
  Likewise, about that report, I have read no comments on any Cat list, including, of course, this one. 
  So what’s the wild speculation that should provoke some interesting and controversial posts? Here goes :
  As a matter of his own choice, is Walker leaving us? Did he receive an offer that he finds irresistible? Could it be Sparty, the team he blew out? He could have inked a deal a month or two back. Could that be why we have not heard or read anything about a contract extension for him? Shouldn’t such an extension have been consummated and announced by now? 
  Oh, sure his present pact doesn’t end until 2007, but usually, such soon-to-end deals are either renewed or extended a year or two before. Has this not happened, because Walker is going to say adios? 
  In sum, for such reasons, has the administration been dickering with GB to come back? Or could GB be the pursuer? That would be an interesting explanation as to why a coach during his team’s bye week came to watch his old school’s homecoming game. That visit per se, is a most unusual thing for a coach to do during the hectic, busy middle of his present school’s season. 
  There you have it, admittedly rank speculation. And before any of you get too upset with me, remember the First Amendment. Each of us should respect another’s right to make interesting and thought provoking observations within the bounds of propriety. 
  Frank Loomis