An Inauspicious Beginning - LTP Gets Original Programming!

Sorry about those of you who tried to view the video earlier and could not. I have remedied the issue. Thanks for your patience!

It's time to spice up your day with what I believe to be a first. Today is the first in an occasional series of a never-before-seen interview with Gary Barnett. I believe this is the first original video programming series for a college football blog - and if it is not - then it sounds good at least doesn't it?

The 1-on-1 interview was conducted in the summer of 2005 in Evanston at the Orrington Hotel. Gary Barnett has granted LTP permission to broadcast excerpts of this interview for your viewing pleasure. So, let's get on with the show..

Episode I. - An Inauspicious Beginning
Gary Barnett takes us through his first ever visit to Northwestern and how a series of events nearly led him to not take the job. His recollections paint a vivid picture of how tough of a turnaround project the Cats were in 1991-1992.




Background - Why THIS Soundbite?
An inauspicious beginning. Wow. What an understatement. For those of us that remember the nooks and crannies of Dyche Stadium circa December 1991, you know EXACTLY what Gary is talking about. The irrelevant track separating fans from the field. The Astroturf that was like cement with green paint. The first 10 rows of the seats were obstructed view as the players blocked your vision. And the press box. Yikes. I worked a few games for WNUR in the day and the sardine can they gave us to broadcast from was downright scary. The elevator was a 5-minute ordeal. You had to duck your head in certain areas of the press box or your head would hit beams. I cannot even begin to imagine what Gary said to his wife on the plane ride.

Oh, and notice he politely didn't even talk about the play on the field. The home opener in 1991, my first ever NU game, was a 41-14 drubbing at the hands of Rice. Yes, Rice. Soon, GB would accept a job not knowing that the opener in 1992 was against Notre Dame at Soldier Field. I love this soundbite because it catapults me back to how truly behind-the-times we were. The bar was so low, the bite about no one having any concept about a bowl game just illuminates how seemingly insurmountable the task must have been (amazingly, this exact scenario STILL exists for the athletic department relative to the Big Dance).

I think Gary was very candid in this interview and nearly 14 years later, the moments were so indellible in his mind. The imagery was pretty specific -his recollection of the weather - the grayness - you know it had a lasting impression on him. This really sets the stage for what he will soon go into - the turnaround - and the obvious payoff. But in order to enjoy the payoff, you must truly appreciate where the program and facilities were. I hope this interview except painted a picture of what the bottom was like.

Just to underscore how amazing 1995 was, you probably forgot that 13 years ago this very day, Michael Jordan made his return, in the marketing-savvy number 45 jersey, against the Indiana Pacers. To almost any fan in this town 1995 is associated with the Cats, not Jordan's return. That is some story.



Congrats to Trai Essex

The former Cat, according to The Honolulu Advertiser, inked a 1-year $950K deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Thanks to DT for the tip!