BARNETT DECLINED FAT OFFER\Northwestern coach stayed put despite Bruins' interest.

Byline: Jon Wilner Daily News Staff Writer

For Gary Barnett, the difference between Northwestern and UCLA was not money, but time - both emotional and physical. For that reason, Barnett declined UCLA's offer to be its next football coach late Wednesday night.

And once Barnett declined, UCLA athletic director Peter Dalis called Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Greg Robinson. He told him the job was Bob Toledo's.

Publicly, Robinson said all the right things.

Privately, he was flabbergasted.

Throughout the process, Robinson was considered a strong candidate - with eight years of well-regarded UCLA tenure, NFL experience and a stellar recommendation from Dick Vermeil.

He spoke with Dalis several times after Terry Donahue resigned on Dec. 11, then again after the Broncos' season finale on Christmas Eve.

"I was led to believe at the time that they didn't deem it necessary to come out (for an interview)," he told the Rocky Mountain News. "It was pointed out to me that their first intent was to (hire an existing) head coach, specifically Gary Barnett.

"I'd mentioned to them that I would not campaign for the job, and if things (didn't work out) right, they could get back to me."

Barnett is in the final stages of negotiation of a 12-year contract package at Northwestern that has been reported to be worth more than $400,000 a year.

UCLA countered with a more lucrative offer on a per-year basis but, according to sources, offered no more than a five-year deal.

The Arlington (Ill.) Daily Herald reported that UCLA offered Barnett approximately $500,000 a year, an annuity and higher pay for his assistants.

"UCLA presented me with a tremendous offer," Barnett said Thursday in a statement released by the Wildcats. "Staying at Northwestern was the best thing for my immediate as well as my football family."

The Bruins' offer demonstrates their strong desire for Barnett, considering the school, in the past three years, has cut one sport and attempted to eliminate another due to fiscal concerns.

"Chancellor Charles Young and I met with Gary or his lawyer on several occasions and presented what we felt was a wonderful compensation package for both Gary and his assistant coaches," UCLA athletic director Pete Dalis said.

"In the end, I think he just couldn't bring himself to leave Northwestern in the wake of all their recent success."

CAPTION(S):

PHOTO

Denver Broncos assistant Greg Robinson reportedly was shocked that he suddenly dropped out of UCLA's football-coach derby. Glenn Asakawa/Rocky Mountain News