High Hopes: Taking the Purple to Pasadena

For the remainder of his life and when his obituary is published, Gary Barnett will be remembered as the coach who revitalized the football program at Northwestern University. In 1995, he lead the Wildcats to the Rosebowl. A year later the team tied for first with Ohio State. Barnett possessed superb skills as a motivational leader and mentor. It was not uncommon in the immediate wake of Northwestern's two consecutive Big Ten titles (the first of which marked the first time NU topped the conference since 1936 and the first time the team had posted a winning record in twenty-four years) for instructors to emphasize Barnett's unique management style. Northwestern featured a team composed of genuine student athletes in an environment where academics were stressed on an equal basis with athletics. The 1995 and 1996 teams featured some great individual players who possessed enough character and strength to overcome their athletic deficiencies against more highly rated opponents. One of these players, Pat Fitzgerald is the current head coach of Northwestern. As a darling of the media, Barnett was constantly offered employment by other football programs at other universities. This seriously hurt recruiting at Northwestern as rival school recruiters suggested to high school seniors that it was foolish to commit to the Wildcats when it seemed likely that Coach Barnett was about to make a hasty exit. Regrettably, Barnett succumbed to the siren's call and opted out of his contract (taking several top recruits with him) and he accepted a lucrative position at the University of Colorado in 1999. While he came within a game of capturing the National Championship, Barnett's reputation suffered when his athletic program was mired in constant scandals and controversies. Barnett seemed to be thoroughly discredited by the time of his dismissal from Colorado. Northwestern was fortunate to hire the late Randy Walker to succeed Barnett. Before his death, Walker managed to keep the football team competitive and he won one additional conference title. This is a memoir of the happier times before success spoiled Barnett. There is a residual bitterness on the part of some Northwestern fans towards Barnett. I can understand that. I can also appreciate Barnett's desire to achieve financial success for his family and to return to Colorado where they had lived for many years and where he formerly worked as an assistant coach under Bill McCartney (when the Buffaloes won the National Championship). For myself, I appreciate what Barnett achieved in Evanston and I am thankful for his efforts that resulted in the renovation of Dyche Stadium (now called Ryan Field) and improved training facilities. There are still some valuable life lessons to be learned from what occurred on Central Street more than a dozen years ago. Someday, I hope Barnett has an opportunity to redeem himself by accepting another coaching position. It would be wonderful and reaffirming if Barnett c

This book in a enjoyable book that highlights Northwestern's Rose Bowl Trip. Even if you are not a NU fan you will find this book very interesting and at the end you will be cheering on NU throughout the book. It explains how Gary Barnett took a "nothing" NU football team to be top-ranked and possibly contend for the national championship. Barnett writes about success not only in football but in life. I was so touched by this book that I wrote Barnett a letter telling him how good the book was.You will enjoy!

Gary Barnett is one of those guys you'd like to have a beer with....A master of motivation and getting young people to believe in themselves (even when the facts say they shouldn't!) Barnett works from everyday experiences and personal convictions to extract the absolute best from his players. The result is not only the greatest turn around of an entire collegiate program in history, but the "release" of some truly gifted student athletes into the world. I virtually read this book in one sitting -- I simply could not put it down. Someday, I going to have to find a way to buy Barnett that beer, just to get the advance copy of his sequel. By the way, Gary, just exactly was that "horrid" event in college, for which you got into so much trouble? The intrigue is killing me