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Barnes angling for USU success
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Schedule | 1:19 a.m. July 11, 2008
Not sure what Barnes is talking about with scheduling Utah. Thats not a
two-for-one. The two schools switch off every year, don't they? Maybe an
occasional skip.
former aggie | 6:48 a.m. July 11, 2008
good luck,
if you are serious, lets start by getting rid of the mens football coach and the womens basketball coach-both had their chance to produce and neither has come close to a .500 season...not even remotely close!!!...time to get some new enthusiasm and especially new schemes so that the aggie opponents actually have to prepare and respect them every week
if you are serious, lets start by getting rid of the mens football coach and the womens basketball coach-both had their chance to produce and neither has come close to a .500 season...not even remotely close!!!...time to get some new enthusiasm and especially new schemes so that the aggie opponents actually have to prepare and respect them every week
Aggie in Colo. | 8:35 a.m. July 11, 2008
It's good to hear that Barnes is out talking to Aggies across the state.
I've felt for a long time that this needed to happen. In fact, I would
like to see a group of people formed representing the Cache Valley community,
businesses, alumni, students, service organizations, and athletic department to
discuss and reach concensus on what type of program we all want at USU, what it
is going to cost, and get everyone moving in the same direction to make this a
great athletic dept. again. We have that opportunity now that we are in the
WAC. This is a process that TCU used in the 90's after the SWC disbanded
and left them out. Once they got everyone on the same page at TCU, they were
able to dramatically improve their athletics. In the past, it seems like the
athletic dept. has tried to go it alone without getting buy-in from everyone.
As a result, we see people going in many different directions with Aggie
athletics instead of moving in unison. Hopefully, Barnes will get consensus
from alumni, Cache Valley service clubs, businesses, etc. before he tries to
move forward.
Comments continue below
Wilford | 8:43 a.m. July 11, 2008
former aggie is right. I think the men`s football coach has been given more than
a chance to prove what he can do. He`s proven he can`t win.
Former Ticket Holder | 8:46 a.m. July 11, 2008
The most encouraging comment in the article is that Barnes has discovered how
poor USU customer service has been. Buying a season ticket at USU was hard when
it should be easy. The students behind the thick glass were more interested in
reading their book than in looking up to help a fan with a question. Huge ticket
price increases were announced with a lump it or leave it attitude. Marketing
consisted of one form letter with the dates for renewing season tickets. There
was no follow-up. They seemed just as happy to let the seat lapse and sell it to
someone else.
If that all changes, I'll be back.
If that all changes, I'll be back.
Aggie Bro | 8:54 a.m. July 11, 2008
We can have all the big dreams that we want, but I don't exactly know who
is going to be lining up to play the 115th ranked team in the country for a
million bucks.
Couldn't agree more | 9:07 a.m. July 11, 2008
I agree with "Schedule"; We should keep playing Utah because the host
team switches off every year. I also believe this is mandated somehow by the
state legislature (no joke). Besides, the Utah game has come to have more
meaning in recent years than the occasional BYU game has. The Aggies have been
competative in several games against Utah in the last 10 years. I completely
agree with scheduling Weber St, Idaho St, SUU, or Dixie St. They're not
guaranteed wins at this point, but I'd say the odds are at least better
than 50-50, and hopefully they would be confidence builders. With the arrogant
team-down-south-that-likes-Aggie-Blue-too-much scheduling FCS (D-II) teams, I
wonder why they haven't scheduled Weber. Hopefully within 5 years USU can
get some momentum in other sports besides men's basketball (which needs
schedule changes in a different way) and have a competative athletic department.
Reader | 9:15 a.m. July 11, 2008
Football will be a project. Unless things turn around in the next few years,
consideration will have to be given to dropping football to what used to be
called Division I-AA. It will be the only way it can compete, despite Aggie
boosters thinking USU is a legitimate Division I school in football. Picking up
nice paydays by playing and getting crushed by mid-major and major D-I teams is
no longer acceptable. It is time to at least be semi-competitive in those games.
consideration | 9:46 a.m. July 11, 2008
Maybe that's an option WAY down the road. But not while the current
conference alignments are in place. No way USU leaves the WAC to pursue FCS
(1-aa) football.
Ute Perspective | 9:58 a.m. July 11, 2008
As a Ute fan, I would love to see USU turnaround.
I would love to see Utah, BYU, and Utah State all be competitive with each other... and thus a true revival of the Beehive Boot. With a rivalry that has seen 107 meetings between Utah and USU and (I think) 77 meetings between BYU and USU... I would had to see that tradition die away.
I would love to see Utah, BYU, and Utah State all be competitive with each other... and thus a true revival of the Beehive Boot. With a rivalry that has seen 107 meetings between Utah and USU and (I think) 77 meetings between BYU and USU... I would had to see that tradition die away.
AggiesForever | 9:58 a.m. July 11, 2008
At least Barnes has a plan besides "open the doors and see who walks
in." He comes with a solid background in fundraising from Big 12 and PAC
10 schools, and the authority from the President to go for it. Former AD Bruce
Van DeVelde had the fundraising ability, for instance, but a president in George
Emert who meddled too much. Stan Albrecht has decided to let Barnes do his job
and that should pay dividends. His connections and experience should pay off
for USU. Now it's time for the fans to nut up and support the program. I
know I will and encourage everyone else to jump on board.
perhaps | 10:02 a.m. July 11, 2008
i read with interest and agree with the comments from former aggie....i believe
with the right coach teaching the right scheme and technique, the ags could try
something different such as a wing-t like air force uses...they certainly
don't have the biggest, fastest players, yet they are extremely
competitive...could the aggies try something like this? who knows, but they
would most likely be the only team in the wac using it and may be able to make
the most of their lack of blue chippers....they could get some respect back by
finishing a couple of years at 5-5, or 6-5....but there is a pass happy or
spread offense mentality that boosters love (and I like it too), this may be the
way to go, but do they have the players (read: speed at skill positions) to pull
it off? i doubt it....barnes the job requires tough decisions, but that is major
college athletics these days, and you need to cut guy loose, cause his schemes
aren't cutting it!
Anonymous | 10:13 a.m. July 11, 2008
GO AGGIES!
Blame | 10:16 a.m. July 11, 2008
Don't blamer the football coach when he has no athletes. Before he has
athletes USU will have to become a place where athletes want to play. Firing a
coach is re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
Guy stays for now | 10:18 a.m. July 11, 2008
Randy Spetman let Coach Guy stay. When Barnes arrived it was too late to
reverse that decision. So, we are stuck with this Coach for one more season. I
figure we should hope Guy still turns things around, but if the first half of
the season is as dismal as past years, start emailing Barnes calling for the
coaches head.
fan14 | 10:26 a.m. July 11, 2008
Former Aggie is right. USU needs to look for not only a new football coach, but
a new women's basketball coach as well. As a USU student I have been very
disappointed with these individuals' performances.
Ute Alum | 10:44 a.m. July 11, 2008
Go Aggies! Good luck with your new AD. My husband is a large donor to USU and
old R Spetman never even bothered to call or come by our home in SLC. I often
attend USU games (my husband can get excellent seats) rather than U games and I
cheer the Aggies on except when the play the U and then I must be true to my
team.
GO UTES
GO AGGIES
squash byu
GO UTES
GO AGGIES
squash byu
Spectator | 10:55 a.m. July 11, 2008
This guy Barnes is the ultimate optimist.
Cache Valley is beautiful in the Summer.
USU is very competitive in basketball.
Now for the BAD NEWS:
The football program at USU is "...lost and alone on some forgotten highway...."
Most potential players will only go to USU if there is nowhere else to go.
The only people who would want to coach football at USU are those with a career death wish.
The "...good days are REALLY over for good...."
Cache Valley is beautiful in the Summer.
USU is very competitive in basketball.
Now for the BAD NEWS:
The football program at USU is "...lost and alone on some forgotten highway...."
Most potential players will only go to USU if there is nowhere else to go.
The only people who would want to coach football at USU are those with a career death wish.
The "...good days are REALLY over for good...."
Anonymous | 11:24 a.m. July 11, 2008
Step #1----Fire Brent Guy and hire a real coach.
To: Aggie Bro | 11:41 a.m. July 11, 2008
Dude, you obviously don't follow college football very closely. Who is
lining up to play the 115th team in the nation? Schools who want to schedule
WINS that's who! For example, we would be playing TEXAS this year if we
hadn't already had a 2 for 1 contract with Oregon that dated back to 2001
(Thanks Rance Pugmire). Texas offered $1 million bucks to do it. Keep in mind
that these types of games are 1 and done deals where USU would just play on the
road with no return game.
The games are out there. I loved this article. It makes a lot of sense, and someone FINALLY announced some sort of plan to resurrect USU's program. I truly believe USU football can be turned around and I hope Barnes is the one to spearhead its return to glory.
Bring back the good old days!
The games are out there. I loved this article. It makes a lot of sense, and someone FINALLY announced some sort of plan to resurrect USU's program. I truly believe USU football can be turned around and I hope Barnes is the one to spearhead its return to glory.
Bring back the good old days!
aggie for life | 12:09 p.m. July 11, 2008
There was an article on Buffalo a few years back saying how their AD would no
longer schedule body bag games for less than $1million. After being the worst
team in FB for years, this year they were 1 win away from a bowl game. There are
plenty of schools who will schedule USU for $1million, and that opens up a
bottom dweller from the Sun Belt or MAC and a D-1AA school to come to Logan.
After the body bag, Utah, D-1AA and Sun Belt games, thats a 2-2 record. It is
called scheduling for success. Now USU is 4 wins away from a bowl. With that
kind of start last year, I'm predicting USU would have won the SJSU, Nevada
and UNLV game, which USU was up in the 4th quarter on all of them, but
couldn't finish out the game. Add that to the 2 other wins they got last
year, and you are looking at a 7 win season. USU was very competitive this year
but didn't know how to win. This kind of scheduling teaches the players how
to win and sets them up for success. GO BARNES! GO AGGIES!
SilverHairedAggie | 12:12 p.m. July 11, 2008
Dear Blame,
The head coach is the one the has the responsibilty of getting Athletes. If he can't recruit Athletes he can't coach.
The head coach is the one the has the responsibilty of getting Athletes. If he can't recruit Athletes he can't coach.
Fatty | 12:16 p.m. July 11, 2008
I am a graduate student at USU and I share this opinion: Keep coach Guy. As
far as I can tell, it's been about a year since I've heard of any
Aggie football players being arrested (that's better than the U or the Y
can say). I've been here for five years, and the last year is the first
that I haven't heard of football players getting into trouble with the law.
If coach Guy can teach his players to be better citizens, stay out of trouble,
and take their academics more seriously (uhh, they play at USU, they better be
taking their academics seriously, because they sure won't be playing pro
ball), I say keep him. I like to watch a good football game just as much as the
next person, and I would like to see USU win. But, even more than that, I would
like to see the athletes obey the laws and be good students. After all,
it's a university, not a sports club.
michael | 12:27 p.m. July 11, 2008
Brent Guy is not the problem! It is like playing 5 card stud but Guy is the only
player that can not exchange any of his cards.
The result has been the same regaudless of who's coaching. The problem stems from an under funded and rarely supported athletic department. Maybe this guy can change things.
The result has been the same regaudless of who's coaching. The problem stems from an under funded and rarely supported athletic department. Maybe this guy can change things.
Love my Aggies! | 12:43 p.m. July 11, 2008
I don't understand the the UofU comment. They have been more than
generous, and played home and home every year. I hope that those comments were
directed in BYU's direction. There is no reason we should play them 2 for
1. We could replace them with New Mexico, Wyoming, CSU, Air Force, UNLV or a
1-AA. I hope that he can turn this around. Go Ags!!
RE: Scheduling | 12:45 p.m. July 11, 2008
Isn't it odd that Scott Barnes's plan for turning around the Aggie
program is the same plan Mendenhall has for getting BYU in the BCS?
Fishing | 1:28 p.m. July 11, 2008
Drop a nymph below your dry fly and you'll pull a fish out every other cast
on the Blacksmith.
Improvement | 1:39 p.m. July 11, 2008
For everyone calling for Guy's head, let me share some numbers.
In 2006 (arguable the worst season for USU football...well...ever) the average difference in point per game was -27.7, -24.4 in the WAC.
In 2007, the point differential dropped to -13.25 and -8.9 in conference.
Thats a significant improvement.
In 2006 (arguable the worst season for USU football...well...ever) the average difference in point per game was -27.7, -24.4 in the WAC.
In 2007, the point differential dropped to -13.25 and -8.9 in conference.
Thats a significant improvement.
Best of both worlds | 3:06 p.m. July 11, 2008
How about scheduling a school like Duke, Vanderbilt or Syracuse? There's
also Barnes' former employer Iowa State. Or Baylor. Minnesota or
Northwestern. All members of big-name conferences and a fair to good chance to
win too.
There are plenty of other D-1 patsies out there too. Rice, UAB, Army
There are plenty of other D-1 patsies out there too. Rice, UAB, Army
page | 3:53 p.m. July 11, 2008
when former coaches recruit junior college players all the time you don't
have any freshmen coming up to work their way through the program.now they have
kids that will be there for 4 or 5 years.i don't know how good guy is but
you keep changing coaches all the time your not ever going to be good.
Downtown Aggie | 4:46 p.m. July 11, 2008
Fire Guy. Hire Mike (Chico) Canales. Chico is a former Aggie QB who has been
everywhere from Snow College to the New York Jets.
Canales is a great recruiter, feisty competitor, and the dude is an offensive genius. He will win quickly, fill Romney Stadium, and bring Aggie Football back to a respectability we haven't seen since Merlin Olsen was there.
Canales is a great recruiter, feisty competitor, and the dude is an offensive genius. He will win quickly, fill Romney Stadium, and bring Aggie Football back to a respectability we haven't seen since Merlin Olsen was there.
Utah County Aggie | 6:50 p.m. July 11, 2008
Reality Check.Michael you are accurate in saying the problem stems from lack of
funding. Your problem is that funding comes from people who have pride in a
program and a reason to give. First, parents of out of state players will rarely
buy season tickets. Second, most of those out of state players with no
connection to "aggie Pride" will ever give back when they are done
playing. A program is built with a long term plan for wins on the field and
success off the field. Hire a coach who understands that players who succeed in
the classroom and in life after football give back to a program that cared for
them as people, not just players. Ask any former college athlete like myself why
they give back and they will tell you "PRIDE". Pride is built as a
whole community gets behind people they can relate to and respect. I know many
aggie alumnni along the wasatch front who would love to support the program if
there were athletes they cared about. USU football is third fiddle to BYU and
Utah as well as Weber and Snow College because USU coaches don't believe
utah athletes can play.
Downtown Aggie | 7:44 p.m. July 11, 2008
Utah County, you're right. For decades Aggie coaches have heavily
recruited junior college football players.
You're also right that USU is third fiddle in this state. THIRD - not fifth.
USU coaches do occassionally manage to nab an in-state blue chipper such as homegrown Aggie - Chris Cooley.
California JC players are generally good athletes, but they eventually end up in Logan only because Pac-10, Mountain West, and other teams have passed on them. First team Aggies would be back-ups and some would'nt even make travel squad at other schools.
You're also right that USU is third fiddle in this state. THIRD - not fifth.
USU coaches do occassionally manage to nab an in-state blue chipper such as homegrown Aggie - Chris Cooley.
California JC players are generally good athletes, but they eventually end up in Logan only because Pac-10, Mountain West, and other teams have passed on them. First team Aggies would be back-ups and some would'nt even make travel squad at other schools.
John L Smith | 8:49 p.m. July 11, 2008
A lot of hiring is luck. Bronco was way down the list (4th or 5th, lower maybe)
when BYU "settled" on him after the Crowton era ended.
The right coach can win and recruit in Logan. Bad coaching hires will suck the life out of even the most die-hard alumni and fan base; and 3 uninspired hires in a row is practically a death sentence in football.
Guy will likely be done after another 9 or 10 loss season this year. Nice guy, but in over his head in the #1 role just like Holmoe was at Cal.
Hopefully Barnes can lure away the next Urban Meyer from somewhere, someone that makes the game entertaining, interesting and high scoring. They're due for a break, no?
The right coach can win and recruit in Logan. Bad coaching hires will suck the life out of even the most die-hard alumni and fan base; and 3 uninspired hires in a row is practically a death sentence in football.
Guy will likely be done after another 9 or 10 loss season this year. Nice guy, but in over his head in the #1 role just like Holmoe was at Cal.
Hopefully Barnes can lure away the next Urban Meyer from somewhere, someone that makes the game entertaining, interesting and high scoring. They're due for a break, no?
Sports Fan | 10:11 p.m. July 11, 2008
Drop the "y" play the Utes every year!
Just thinking. | 10:52 p.m. July 11, 2008
We are stuck with Brent Guy for another season, and will try to rally around him
and give him the support of one more season. There were a few games last year
when he really made some bone head decisions that cost USU a win, or two. Does
anyone else feel like me that USU really dropped the ball when they didn't
hire Ron McBride instead of Guy. Here is a former D-1 coach, wanting to come
back to Utah, (the state), the guy is a public relations dream, gets people to
rally to the program, and USU passes on him. I wonder if he even was on the
radar? Guy is a nice guy, but you know where the nice guys always finish.
Aggie in SLC | 11:15 p.m. July 11, 2008
Unless BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe agrees to play Utah State home and home
in football, the USU-BYU rivalry, and I use that term very loosely based on
USU's football recent success or lack thereof, is going to be cancelled, at
least temporarily. Holmoe must have sweet talked Spetman into those stupid
boneheaded 2 for 1 deals. STUPID USU ATHLETIC DIRECTORS, not mentioning any
names,the last 2 former USU Athletic Directors seem to have an annoying penchant
for giving BYU extra home non-conference games. And you wonder why ticket
revenue is low at Romney Stadium. Well, maybe because you are playing games in
"Happy Valley" and I use that term even more loosely than the last
time, than your are in Romney Stadium. USU almost beat Oregon in Logan in 2001
and Oregon finished the year number two in the nation after just missing out on
the national championship game. I have never been so proud of the Aggies after a
loss, playing at that high of a level. USU and Utah always play home and home,
so that will continue. Unlike BYU, who is scared to play in the Spectrum and in
football 1 for 1.
to: Utah County Aggie | 12:08 a.m. July 12, 2008
How many Utah athletes do you think are D-1 material? Here are the numbers of
Utah players playing for the big 3(roughly):
USU: 24 Utah Athletes
Utah: 37 Utah Athletes
BYU: 42 Utah Athletes
I just don't think the difference of numbers of Utah athletes is that big. USU IS going after Utah players.
You are right, right now Utah and BYU are student athletes' first choices in the state of Utah. We're going to get players who really want to play at USU, or simply weren't offered a scholarship to play at the U or the Y.
In a state of 3 million people, how many D-1 athletes are produced? There simply aren't enough to go around. USU is trying to win, and it can get better players from other states where football is bigger and where the population is larger. USU will miss out on a recruit here and there, but if they have the choice between a player that is good in CA or TX and a player that is good in UT, they're going to pick the CA or TX player because it is less of a gamble.
USU: 24 Utah Athletes
Utah: 37 Utah Athletes
BYU: 42 Utah Athletes
I just don't think the difference of numbers of Utah athletes is that big. USU IS going after Utah players.
You are right, right now Utah and BYU are student athletes' first choices in the state of Utah. We're going to get players who really want to play at USU, or simply weren't offered a scholarship to play at the U or the Y.
In a state of 3 million people, how many D-1 athletes are produced? There simply aren't enough to go around. USU is trying to win, and it can get better players from other states where football is bigger and where the population is larger. USU will miss out on a recruit here and there, but if they have the choice between a player that is good in CA or TX and a player that is good in UT, they're going to pick the CA or TX player because it is less of a gamble.
utah county aggie | 9:29 a.m. July 12, 2008
once again justification creates mediocrity. I am not saying athletes from CA or
TX shouldn't become aggies and are not less of a gamble. That is not the
point. The point is there are many in state athletes that are told to walk on
rather than offered scholarships. I don't pretend to know the reasons, but
I for one would not give to a program that doesn't offer scholarships to in
state athletes, but obviously think those same athletes can be part of a program
as a walk on. Many of those same athletes parents are USU Alumni and are tired
of the mediocre mentality of the program. I can name several athletes that USU
never gave a chance that are elsewhere. Does the name Trevyn Smith mean
anything. Let's hire Ron Mcbride. He understands the utah recruiting and
that there are more quality utah players than you think. Third fiddle is not
enough. I would like to see us schedule both weber and Snow College. You might
seee what I'm talking about. I'm not sure we would win either game.
Steve | 4:43 p.m. July 14, 2008
One thing not mentioned in the article that really needs to happen is clearing
of all the dead weight in the A.D. Kevin Dustin should have been let go years
ago and Tom Hale has driven the BBSF into the ground. Go hire some office staff
that care about doing their jobs.
True Aggies | 2:40 p.m. July 18, 2008
Mr. Barnes, Make sure you take your wife up on the "A" and make her a
True Aggie. Welcome to the community! There is great flyfishing opportunities
in southern Idaho and Northern Utah! Logan Canyon is awesome!
Make sure you involve the community, and don't forget there are tons of Wasatch Front Aggies. Have fun and Win!!
Go Aggies!
Make sure you involve the community, and don't forget there are tons of Wasatch Front Aggies. Have fun and Win!!
Go Aggies!
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Scott Barnes, new director of athletics for Utah State University, stands in front of the school's new north end zone athletic complex in Romney Stadium.
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