[NU Sports] Barnett, bowls, etc. (fwd)

[Mike Nolan]

> Well, Vince Lombardi and George Halas didn't care what
> the press thought. 

You must be talking about a different Vince Lombardi.  He may not have
cared what the press thought about him but he cared a LOT about what they
wrote about the Packers and what Green Bay fans felt.  There probably 
wasn't a Rotary Club in Wisconsin that he didn't visit at least once.

He also starred in some of the best management training films ever made,
'Second Effort' is still shown in business schools and training seminars.

Walker started out being fairly visible, but I think he went into a shell 
after the Walker death.  Perhaps he was 'encouraged' to do so, and until
Rashidi's mom stops raising a fuss I think he'll stay in that shell.

Barnett has become his own worst enemy with regards to media coverage, 
though he did P/R spots for Northwestern's fundraising efforts.  
(The funniest of them was the one where he said he knew he was brought 
in to rebuild the football team, but he didn't realize the extent.  Then 
he picks up a jackhammer and starts hacking at concrete outside the 
stadium.)

However it was true at NU and again at CU that he took credit for the
good things, but never was in the loop for any of the bad things that 
happened under his watch.  Gambling?  News to him!  Point shaving?  
News to him!  Sex and alcohol for recruits?  News to him!  Slush fund?
News to him!  

Why is it any suprise that contract problems are news to him?

Wouldn't it be ironic if Nebraska's thumping of CU precipitates his
departure rather like CU's thumping of Nebraska was the first domino
in the fall of Frank Solich?  Maybe Gary can get a job coaching in the
MAC and he and Frank can go head-to-head again!  
--
Mike Nolan