Thursday, May 27, 2004
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) -- If University of Colorado football coach Gary Barnett is reinstated today, he will likely return to an athletic department facing stricter oversight, according to reports.
President Betsy Hoffman and Chancellor Richard Byyny planned a morning news conference to discuss "decisions related to the athletic department and football program," the school said in a statement Wednesday.
University spokeswoman Michele Ames would not elaborate.
The Rocky Mountain News this week reported that Barnett would be reinstated, and KUSA-TV said late Wednesday that Barnett's return rested on the coach's willingness to accept certain conditions, including more education on how to handle sexual misconduct allegations.
The Denver Post reported today that athletic director Dick Tharp would remain after agreeing to reforms, including reporting to Provost Phil DiStefano instead of Byyny and submitting to oversight by a board that includes faculty members.
Hoffman placed Barnett on paid administrative leave Feb. 18 after comments he made about some of the nine women who have alleged that they were sexually assaulted by Colorado football players or recruits since 1997.