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Barnum's leash

bigskyconf

Active member
Inspired by my buddies Alan and faith over here, I thought I'd throw this out. After last year's 0-fer season, how much of a leash does Barnum have this year? In other words (to be blunt), how long does he have this season to show progress? I think the deck is stacked against him, staring at 2 money games, including Oregon, and then starting conference play against the two stalwarts and the newcomer. Is 1-6 enough to throw in the towel? It will be tough but I think we need to get a win somehow in those first three conference games, otherwise the volume of those calling for Barnum's dismissal may start to get pretty loud. I think regardless Barnum will last the season (having new coordinators usually means there is no one ready to jump in during the season) but if we get blown off the field at both Moscow and Missoula, I don't think he can save it.
 
bigskyconf said:
Inspired by my buddies Alan and faith over here, I thought I'd throw this out. After last year's 0-fer season, how much of a leash does Barnum have this year? In other words (to be blunt), how long does he have this season to show progress? I think the deck is stacked against him, staring at 2 money games, including Oregon, and then starting conference play against the two stalwarts and the newcomer. Is 1-6 enough to throw in the towel? It will be tough but I think we need to get a win somehow in those first three conference games, otherwise the volume of those calling for Barnum's dismissal may start to get pretty loud. I think regardless Barnum will last the season (having new coordinators usually means there is no one ready to jump in during the season) but if we get blown off the field at both Moscow and Missoula, I don't think he can save it.
By the time Northern Colorado comes to town Barnum's record will hopefully be no worse than 1 and 5. If we still can't make PAT's, kick field goals, and get off punts we might be 0 and 6 and looking at another 0 and 11 season. In any case I think anything better than 3 and 8 is insanely optimistic; 2 and 9 optimistic, but within reach; and 1 and 10 most likely. As to Barnum's tenure, no matter his record this year, expect 2019 to offer up another season of Barneyball, because... our cash poor program won't go for a buyout.

As an aside, after 3 win and 0 win seasons in 2016 and 2017, just how many folks do you think will be in the stands at Merritt Paulson's soccer pitch when the 1 and 5 Vikings face off against Northern Colorado?
 
Well I appreciate the shout out by @BigSkyconf and I in turn really want to jump back into his positive column. Sadly...I must remain with my 2-9 forecast. We beat CoI and pull out a close conference win and that's it.

As to tenure, at 2-9 I agree with @Alan we are too poor to consider a buyout. At 1-10 I would give it 50-50 chance. For the 3rd year we will hear - We Are Young - We Had Injuries.

There is upside. We recognized our poor recruiting the last 3 years and brought in 4 transfers to help the O-line. We brought in a QB transfer, we brought in some RB transfers, and we hired a defensive coach with some proven experience. I hate seeing all the transfers (I want our homegrown boys to prove their worth) but they give us a chance to beat my 2-9 projection.

Anyway, camp has started, games are around the corner...Go Viks :thumb: :thumb:
 
Barnum is signed through what, 2020? Last year people were calling for his head when we were 0-8. This year, should we continue to struggle, it would still be difficult, but not impossible and certainly easier that trying to buy him out last season. It is hard to predict any FCS win over an FBS so losses in the first two games are pretty much a given. We should beat CofI (stress "should") but if we struggle in that game, and then follow with a blowout home loss to Montana State followed by blowouts at both Idaho and Montana is that enough to initiate the idea within the administration that this isn't working?

After this season, Barnum will have two years left on his contract. Two years is certainly easier to buy out than three. Granted it is not as easy as one year.

Of course, if we get the win against Montana State that I keep crowing about, this all becomes moot. :lol: :nod:
 
If we do no better than 2-9 then the admin knows this isn't going to work. People will start to finally see we have a leadership issue here. But... a buyout is not happening with two years left (in my opinion). Only way that works is if some donors come together and can cover one of those years. That's a Big IF...

If @bigskyconf is right and we do beat Montana St. (so many of my friends are dreamers :lol: ) then assuming we did beat CofI, I would bet the heat is off until the end of the season. It will be too easy for the admin at that point to say to Barnum, start 2019 with some wins or that's it (and know they only have one year left at that point).

Admin won't really care about attendance since the excuse for it being low was due to Hillsboro. I want us to win, but if we can't do that let's please step up and make the change needed so we can reset...
 
TeamHolt said:
https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/12-sports/401732-294859-psu-football-barnum-hope-changes-are-for-the-better

I'm too lazy to figure it out. Who were the three defensive players released?
 
GreenGiant said:
TeamHolt said:
https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/12-sports/401732-294859-psu-football-barnum-hope-changes-are-for-the-better

I'm too lazy to figure it out. Who were the three defensive players released?


#2 Petties-Wilson
#93 Jackson
#8 Smith (he was a QB but was let go last fall)
#27 Appling
 
RGODISGR8 said:
GreenGiant said:
TeamHolt said:
https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/12-sports/401732-294859-psu-football-barnum-hope-changes-are-for-the-better

I'm too lazy to figure it out. Who were the three defensive players released?


#2 Petties-Wilson
#93 Jackson
#8 Smith (he was a QB but was let go last fall)
#27 Appling

I have seen other players missing. Notably Jason Tally is missing from the roster.
 
Per John Canzano of OLive, Barnum gets another year.

https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf/2018/11/portland_state_football_coach.html#incart_river_index
 
bigskyconf said:
Per John Canzano of OLive, Barnum gets another year.

https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf/2018/11/portland_state_football_coach.html#incart_river_index

Not surprising.

The result of the 2019 season will be the fork in the road where the AD should determine that our Viking ship is headed in the right direction or if it’s time to part ways with Barnum.

As the roster stands now we’ll have 24 seniors and 23 juniors next season. Obviously subject to change if kids leave the program, or we have some transfers come in, but youth will no longer be an excuse. 4 to 5 wins won’t cut it. I know it’s pretty darn early to be talking about 2019, but unless we’re neck in neck for the top of the Big Sky in the last couple weeks, Barnum may want to stop by the liquor store to pick up a bunch of empty boxes before the final weekend of the 2019 season.
 
Recap of the season, from Steve Brandon of the Tribune

https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/12-sports/412552-312339-vikings-ups-and-downs-still-mean-progress
 
martymoose said:
bigskyconf said:
Per John Canzano of OLive, Barnum gets another year.

https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf/2018/11/portland_state_football_coach.html#incart_river_index

Not surprising.

The result of the 2019 season will be the fork in the road where the AD should determine that our Viking ship is headed in the right direction or if it’s time to part ways with Barnum.

As the roster stands now we’ll have 24 seniors and 23 juniors next season. Obviously subject to change if kids leave the program, or we have some transfers come in, but youth will no longer be an excuse. 4 to 5 wins won’t cut it. I know it’s pretty darn early to be talking about 2019, but unless we’re neck in neck for the top of the Big Sky in the last couple weeks, Barnum may want to stop by the liquor store to pick up a bunch of empty boxes before the final weekend of the 2019 season.

Spot on. There are no more excuses.
 
martymoose said:
bigskyconf said:
Per John Canzano of OLive, Barnum gets another year.

https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf/2018/11/portland_state_football_coach.html#incart_river_index

Not surprising.

The result of the 2019 season will be the fork in the road where the AD should determine that our Viking ship is headed in the right direction or if it’s time to part ways with Barnum.

As the roster stands now we’ll have 24 seniors and 23 juniors next season. Obviously subject to change if kids leave the program, or we have some transfers come in, but youth will no longer be an excuse. 4 to 5 wins won’t cut it. I know it’s pretty darn early to be talking about 2019, but unless we’re neck in neck for the top of the Big Sky in the last couple weeks, Barnum may want to stop by the liquor store to pick up a bunch of empty boxes before the final weekend of the 2019 season.

2018 is over for us. Therefore it is not too early to talk 2019. :nod:
 
bigskyconf said:
Alan said:
Do we know anything about our 2019 "Money Games" and our NAIA, D2, D3 "Walk-Over" game?

Right now, I believe it is;

@ Arkansas
Simon Frazier
@ Boise State

Funny, PSU and SFU, two large universities with on campus football fields having no seating for fans. The difference being that is where SFU plays their games.
 

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