BOULDER, Colo. - Brian Cabral took over as interim coach at Colorado on Friday, pending the outcome of an investigation into a recruiting scandal that includes rape allegations.
Cabral replaces Gary Barnett, who was placed on paid leave Wednesday for criticizing the ability of ex-player Katie Hnida after she said she was raped by a teammate in 2000. He said she was "not only a girl, she was terrible," a comment university officials said was unacceptable given the seriousness of her allegation.
The recruiting investigation is set to be completed by April 30. Cabral, who has been an assistant 15 years, said he considers his job temporary and expects Barnett to be reinstated.
There are numerous accusations against the football program involving sexual assaults, binge drinking and strippers. Seven women have accused players or recruits of rape since 1997.
FLORIDA STATE: Coaches and players don't want to see the Doak Campbell Stadium field transformed into a bog as it was in last season's showdown vs. Miami. They may not with a massive $800,000 project set to start as early as next week. The Executive Board of Seminole Boosters Inc. green-lighted the funding.
The entire field will be excavated and a 20-year-old drainage system replaced by two state-of-the-art gravity systems. Robotic cameras revealed the old pipes were not functioning, readily evident on that rainy day in October. The work, however, forces FSU to move the April 3 spring game to Gene Cox Stadium at the nearby North Florida Fairgrounds.
LSU: Nick Saban's seven-year, $18.45-million contract received final approval from the school's governing board, making him the highest-paid coach in college football. The contract guarantees Saban at least $2.3-million this year.
MIAMI: School officials said they will decide the fate of Parade All-America linebacker and 'Canes top recruit Willie Williams after his legal matters are resolved. Williams is accused of felony malicious damage, misdemeanor criminal mischief and misdemeanor battery; all occurred on a recruiting trip to Gainesville.
SAN DIEGO STATE: Coach Tom Craft was accused of hitting offensive tackle Mike Kracalik in 2002, leaving a mark on his face, according to affidavits filed by Kracalik and four former players. Jonathan Ingram, who spent last season with the NFL's Chiefs, and offensive lineman Anthony Foli claimed Craft appeared to have been drinking heavily the night before two 2002 road games.
The affidavits are part of a lawsuit brought by Dave Ohton, the strength and conditioning coach removed from his duties in August. He claims the move was retaliation for a memo critical of Craft he wrote for California State University auditors investigating the athletic department.
OBITUARY: Jimmy Streater, nicknamed the "Sylva Streak" who was Tennessee's all-time leader in passing (3,433) and total offense (4,807) when he left college, died in Asheville, N.C. He was 46. The former quarterback (1976-79) suffered several ailments, including a stroke in 1994 that paralyzed his left side, diabetes and a bite by a brown recluse spider in 1990 that resulted in the amputation of his left arm.
- Times staff writer Brian Landman contributed to this report.
