gophers/ncaa

Obviously, the company line is to support the Coach. Let's not forget this non scholarship local HS athlete was the teams most explosive offensive player when he was in the lineup. One must assume he worked hard to make it.. To minimize his athletic work ethic, makes you a Turkey.

I've been around for long enough to posit this: 9 out of 10 kids named "AJ" are spoiled, immature little brats and saddled with an entitlement mentality that has it's roots in having your initials for a name. Go away. Please. It's a crappy program with a hillbilly coach with fainting spells himself. Far more important things happening in the world that need your attention, folks.

Quotes from Barker's rant. He obviously has an, ahem, high opinion of himself surrounded by a fine group of enablers: . . .I’m legitimately good at football. . . .I had a chance to cement my place in gopher history. . . . You had hitched yourself to my wagon. Quote from Barker's Mom's best friend, "And AJ just happens to be his best player,..." My father is proud to pay my tuition. Take this moment of betrayal I am forced to do to you and use it to fuel the team in your game against MSU and in our bowl game. (At least he is being honest that he is betraying his team. Props for that!) It breaks my heart to cut you off before that time, and it kills me I won’t give the U of M the legacy I had hoped to leave behind. . . . this is a self serving response . . . Wow! Yoda has spoken!

Do you really think this was in front of the whole team(120 players gathered at the feet of coach Kill so everybody could listen)? Did Mr Barker get angry with the trainers in front of the team, suit was heard by them? If so, then he deserved a public correction. Was this a constant ritual? Sounds like a one time event to me. Ever heard of "a one minute reprimand?". Usually those are followed by a session of "what you do well". Build,em back up again. Still sounds like exactly what happened. Coach Kill you have my vote. Mr Barker, somebody in these comments had a great idea: think it over before you hit "send". Wish you the best.

It doesn't sound to me like this goes way beyond the trainer's- I read Barker's letter if Kill said half those things I'm appalled. In fact, Kill doesn't deny things he said to him that were belittling, degrading. I played college sports and my coach would NEVER have chewed someone out in front of the whole team, and he built us up by treating us with respect. When you give respect, you get it. I'm not saying Barker's an angel, but he has some legitimate gripes.

As usual, the truth lies some where in the middle. With that said, there are two things that are self evident. One, AJ made a mistake in how he handled his decision to leave the University. (I wish him well and hope he learns from his mistake.) Two, AJ was deeply hurt by the Coach's manipulative behavior. (Berating some one in public -- which is questionable even in a D1 sports setting -- and then telling that person "you love them" in private is disingenuous.) I hope AJ and the coach learn from their mistakes.

budgrant00Nov. 19, 12 8:43 PM I'd have trouble hiring this young man after this outburst.____________Yeah, a kid brave enough to speak his mind and deal with the potential blowback. You should continue to hire drones...it's what corporate America does best.

For everyone saying this young man is whining, one could say if he gets hurt further and sues that he should've said no. If Kills says he talks to his family this way, is that really an out?? A coach should be a positive mentor and as Kill would want respect for his own illnesses, it would be great if he'd provide the same..I wish this young man well and I think we're losing a talented man who could've helped us, but now would'n't want to and that's sad.

Wow!! I'll be very interested to see which coach/program will actually want this kid playing for them (at least at the DI level). It sounds like he's the type of kid who won't regret writing a letter like this. Hey Nick Saban, Barker's available, but don't yell at him!

I'd have trouble hiring this young man after this outburst.