With 1 week remaining in the regular season, I thought it would be fun to rank who's most likely to get fired this offseason. I genuinely don't know if anyone will, but I'm gonna highlight a couple:
1. Aaron Best. It's time for this clown to go. The last 2 seasons have been a complete disaster and he's 100% responsible for it in Cheney. They went 3-8 last year and they currently sit at 4-6 with their only remaining game coming at home against NAU this week. So at best, they'll finish 5-6. Their offense is still good, although not quite on the caliber it used to be, but their defense is a complete disaster and it feels like over the last 2 years as the season has gone on, this team has just quit. What I saw in Bozeman over the weekend looked exactly like what we saw in Missoula at this time last year with Eastern. They have just flat quit. Eastern has a new AD this year and if there were ever a time to make a change, now would be the time. Time for Aaron Best to go.
2. Chris Ball. Ball's seat was scorching hot coming into this season and now IDK what to think. NAU currently sits at 4-6 which isn't overly impressive, but when you mine through it, you see that 3 of those wins have come against teams that were ranked at the time (UM, Weber, Davis) however, they currently only have 1 ranked win (UM) and they have some really bad losses as well (Utah Tech, Portland State by 24 at home). Ball inherited the keys to a Cadillac getting Case Cookus in his 1st year and then RJ Martinez before running him off. He completely whiffed in the portal this year with Kai Milner and had to turn to Freshmen Adam Dimonte. I personally think he should go, but IDK if NAU will pull the trigger. They may cut him some slack just because he does have some decent wins. The NAU-EWU game on Saturday could be interesting as both guys may be coaching for their jobs.
3. Bruce Barnum. I know Portland State is a really challenging job and Barney has done a great job with virtually no resources, but when is enough enough? They've had mediocre season after mediocre season and every time it feels like they may turn the corner, they just end up right back where they were. Eventually it may just be worth trying something new in Portland. I don't think Barney is gonna get the axe, but it feels like PSU is spinning their tires and it may be worth trying something new.
These are the 3 that I would keep an eye on. Thoughts????
1. Aaron Best. It's time for this clown to go. The last 2 seasons have been a complete disaster and he's 100% responsible for it in Cheney. They went 3-8 last year and they currently sit at 4-6 with their only remaining game coming at home against NAU this week. So at best, they'll finish 5-6. Their offense is still good, although not quite on the caliber it used to be, but their defense is a complete disaster and it feels like over the last 2 years as the season has gone on, this team has just quit. What I saw in Bozeman over the weekend looked exactly like what we saw in Missoula at this time last year with Eastern. They have just flat quit. Eastern has a new AD this year and if there were ever a time to make a change, now would be the time. Time for Aaron Best to go.
2. Chris Ball. Ball's seat was scorching hot coming into this season and now IDK what to think. NAU currently sits at 4-6 which isn't overly impressive, but when you mine through it, you see that 3 of those wins have come against teams that were ranked at the time (UM, Weber, Davis) however, they currently only have 1 ranked win (UM) and they have some really bad losses as well (Utah Tech, Portland State by 24 at home). Ball inherited the keys to a Cadillac getting Case Cookus in his 1st year and then RJ Martinez before running him off. He completely whiffed in the portal this year with Kai Milner and had to turn to Freshmen Adam Dimonte. I personally think he should go, but IDK if NAU will pull the trigger. They may cut him some slack just because he does have some decent wins. The NAU-EWU game on Saturday could be interesting as both guys may be coaching for their jobs.
3. Bruce Barnum. I know Portland State is a really challenging job and Barney has done a great job with virtually no resources, but when is enough enough? They've had mediocre season after mediocre season and every time it feels like they may turn the corner, they just end up right back where they were. Eventually it may just be worth trying something new in Portland. I don't think Barney is gonna get the axe, but it feels like PSU is spinning their tires and it may be worth trying something new.
These are the 3 that I would keep an eye on. Thoughts????
