Off. Coordinator/Offensive Line
Eastern Washington, 1987
10th Season at Idaho State
208-282-3312
Recruiting: N. California/Reno Bruce Barnum enters his 10th year with the Bengals in 2006, and his sixth as the offensive coordinator. Barnum served as defensive coordinator in 2000. Under Barnum's leadership, ISU's offense has truly taken flight, ushering in ISU's greatest offensive era as a part of coach Lewis' staff. Last season saw ISU run the ball as never before, rushing for over 1,700 yards and 23 rushing touchdowns. In 2004, Barnum oversaw a 3,000-yard passer, only the fifth in school history, as well as the record breaking season of Sale' Key, who set the school's career receptions record. Barnum's offense also rolled up 3,611 passing yards overall, the third-most in school history, and ISU's 305 completions were the second-most in school history. In 2003, the Bengal offense racked up 394 points, the second-most in school history, and the most in a regular season in school history. Over the past three seasons, the offense has racked up 1,056 points, the most ever in any three-year period in ISU history. Idaho State's offense was among the nation's best, ranking sixth in passing, 20th in scoring, and 21st in total offense. In 2002, ISU's offense didn't miss a beat, scoring over 30 points a game and averaging 412.2 yards of offense per game. The teams' 331 points was equal to the 2001 output. Barnum's offensive line produced two All-Big Sky selections, one All-American, and the offense totaled 10 selections. With Barnum at the offensive helm, the Bengals had a streak of five consecutive 300-point season, the best such streak in school history. Proving his coaching acumen, by the end of the 2000 season, Barnum, who was serving as the defensive coordinator, had led ISU's defense to become one of the Big Sky's top units. Allowing only 16 points to Weber State, 14 points to Montana State, and 17 points to I-A Utah State. In that Utah State game, Barnum's defense stuffed Emmett White, who won the Division I-A all-purpose yardage title, to the tune of just 56 yards rushing. The defense totaled 16 interceptions, and consistently came up with big plays, such as a sack of Cal State Northridge quarterback Marcus Brady on the final play of regulation in a 31-30 ISU overtime win, or Mike Clancey's punishing hit at the goal line that forced a late Charles Roberts fumble, preserving a tense 41-39 win. Barnum has mostly coached on the offensive side of the ball in college, only coaching the defensive units in 1999 and 2000. In 1999, Barnum made the switch from offense to defense, coaching the defensive line after serving as offensive line coach his first two years. Prior to coming to Idaho State, Bruce spent three years as the offensive line coach and associate head coach at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. While at the USCGA, the Bears won the Freedom Conference championship and qualified for their first ever NCAA Division III playoff appearance. Barnum spent the 1993 season at American International in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he coached the offensive line and served as the running game coordinator. During the 1991-92 seasons, Barnum served as assistant offensive line coach at Cornell University in Ithica, New York. While there, he also served as offensive coordinator for the freshman team. Barnum's first collegiate coaching experience came at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, coaching the offensive line from 1989-90. Barnum also served as an assistant football coach in the prep ranks, coaching at Del Castle High School in Newark, Delaware, Columbia River High School in Vancouver, Washington, and Central Valley High School in Spokane, Washington. Bruce earned his B.A. degree in 1987 from Eastern Washington University. He later went on to earn his Master's of Education from Western Washington in 1991. Bruce and his wife Shawna have two children, Brody (1-13-99) and Cooper (1-16-02).