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Larry Eustachy investigation: Interim Colorado State Coach Suspended Hours Before Game

Barnes was elevated on Feb. 3 after head coach Larry Eustachy was placed on administrative leave during an investigation into his behavior and interactions with players and staff.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — Interim Colorado State men’s basketball coach Steve Barnes was placed on leave Saturday just hours before the team was to play a home game against San Jose State.

Barnes was elevated on Feb. 3 after head coach Larry Eustachy was placed on administrative leave during an investigation into his behavior and interactions with players and staff.

Athletic director Joe Parker said assistant coach Jase Herl will coach the Rams Saturday afternoon as they look to halt a seven-game losing streak. He did not say why Barnes was placed on leave.

CSU players had boycotted practice on Thursday. The Coloradoan reported players returned to practice on Friday.

The Denver Postreported Thursday that Colorado State is planning to fire Eustachy.

An investigation in 2013-14 found Eustachy emotionally and verbally abused CSU players and created a culture of fear and intimidation.

Barnes and Eustachy have coached together since the late 1990s. The Denver Post reports that Barnes said last week his coaching style was similar to Eustachy’s.