Danny Barrett

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Danny Barrett is a former Canadian Football League (CFL) quarterback and was most recently the former head coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders until fired on November 27, 2006. He was the Roughriders’ 25th head coach in modern time. Barrett had coached the Riders in more regular season games than any other coach in Roughrider history; however, Barrett had posted a winning record only once in his previous seven years of coaching the Roughriders. Many Roughrider fans view that as a disappointing fact of Barrett's coaching record.

Prior to becoming Saskatchewan Roughrider head coach, Barrett spent his previous two seasons as an assistant coach with the BC Lions. During the 1999 campaign, Barrett coached the Lions’ receiver corps. In 1998, his first season with the Lions, Barrett began the season on the B. C. sidelines as the quarterback coach and assistant offensive coordinator but was forced out of retirement and dressed as the Leos’ backup quarterback for 15 games. Barrett joined the coaching fraternity in 1997 with the Calgary Stampeders. As a first year assistant coach, Barrett was in charge of the Stampeder quarterbacks, which included Jeff Garcia, Dave Dickenson and Henry Burris.

During his playing career, Barrett played in 163 regular season CFL games with Calgary, Toronto, B. C. and Ottawa. His career totals include; 23,419 yards passing, 1,656 completions in 3,078 attempts and 133 touchdowns passed. At one point, he held the record for most passing yards (601) in a CFL game[1].

In 1985, Barrett saw playing time as a slotback with the Calgary Stampeders hauling in 32 passes for 455 yards and two touchdowns. Barrett also quarterbacked the 1987 Argonauts and the 1991 Stampeders to Grey Cup appearances. In the 1991 Grey Cup, Barrett set a CFL record for completions with 34. In 1992, Barrett was selected as the Tom Pate recipient while a member of the B.C. Lions for his outstanding contributions to the league, his team and his community. This award was voted on by the CFLPA.

Before turning pro with the Calgary Stampeders, Barrett was a star at the University of Cincinnati. In 1982, he co-captained the Bearcats and earned an Honorable Mention Associated Press All-American nomination.

On November 27, 2006 Roughriders G.M. Eric Tillman announced that Barrett's contract with the Roughriders would not be renewed by the team, effectively firing Barrett and ending his coaching tenure with the team.[2]

Danny, wife Alison and five children, make Regina their year-round home.