30 biggest college football scandals of all time, ranked

30 biggest college football scandals of all time

By Ethan Lee | Nov 4, 2019

Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o (5) fights his emotions as he leaves the field after a 42-14 loss against Alabama in the BCS National Championship game at Sun Life Stadium on Monday, January 7, 2013, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) /

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Gary Barnett , CU Football Head Coach speaks during CU Football Media Day at the Dal Ward Center on the CU Campus on Tuesday August 11 2004(Photo by Paul Aiken/Digital First Media/Boulder Daily Camera via Getty Images) /

Gary Barnett and Colorado

The Colorado Buffaloes saw some notable success while Gary Barnett coached them. Despite that success on the field, by the time Barnett was dismissed from Boulder, rape allegations against Colorado football players surfaced. The football program would later be hit with a hefty fine and placed on probation.

So, how did Colorado get to that point?

Not long after Barnett got his start in Boulder, a recruiting scandal popped up. An investigation concluded that drugs, sex, and alcohol were used to help get recruits to come to campus, but university officials never sanctioned the practices.

Kicker Katie Hnida later alleged a teammate raped her. Barnett responded by calling her a terrible player. Barnett was suspended in 2004 and more rape allegations against Colorado football players surfaced.

The Buffaloes eventually dismissed the head coach, paying him royally to leave before their bowl game in 2005.

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