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Cornell University Athletics

Bruce Barnum

Recruiting Areas: Alaska, Northern California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Northern/Central Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

Bruce Barnum enters his third season directing Cornell’s spread attack and will take the next step toward developing his explosive and exciting high-powered offense. Barnum rejoined the Cornell football staff in April 2007 and will work with the offensive line after mentoring both the tight ends and running backs in 2007. He previously served as assistant offensive line coach and junior varsity coordinator for the Big Red during the 1991-92 seasons. 

The 2008 season saw five Cornell offensive players earn All-Ivy honors, as the team led the circuit in passing yardage (289.3 ypg.) and first downs (213), and ranked second in the Ancient Eight in total offense (384.3 ypg.). For the first time in school history, Cornell featured three career 1,000-yard receivers (Jesse Baker, Zac Canty and Bryan Walters), a 2,000-yard rusher (Luke Siwula) and a 6,000-yard passer (Nathan Ford).

In his first year back, the Big Red offense exploded for 270 points, the second-most in a season since 1949. Cornell set a school record for first downs in a season (231) and a game (33 vs. Brown) and ranked in the top 20 nationally in passing offense (17th, 261.1). During one stretch, Cornell scored at least 30 points in four consecutive weekends for the first time since the 1921 national championship team. Nine different players caught at least 10 passes during the season, while the rushing game accounted for 21 touchdowns.

Barnum spent 10 years, including six years as offensive coordinator and another as defensive coordinator, leading Idaho State to unprecedented success. Under Barnum’s leadership, ISU’s offense ranked among the national leaders each season.

His 2005 squad rushed for over 1,700 yards and 23 rushing touchdowns. The year before, he directed a 3,000-yard passer, only the fifth in school history, and was instrumental in the development of Sale’ Key, who set the school’s career receptions record. Barnum’s offense 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 Bengals racked up 394 points, the second-most in school history. Idaho State’s offense was among the nation’s best, ranking sixth in passing, 20th in scoring, and 21st in total offense. His 2002 offense scored over 30 pointsper game and averaged 412.2 yards per game. The team’s 331 points matched the 2001 output. Barnum’s offensive line produced two All-Big Sky selections and one All-American, while the offense totaled 10 all-league selections. 

Barnum made ISU’s defense one of the Big Sky’s top units in 2000, including 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. His spot working with the defensive line is one of only two years he has spent working on defense (1999 and 2000).

Prior to going to Idaho State, Barnum spent three years as the offensive line coach and associate head coach at the United States Coast Guard Academy. While at the USCGA, the Bears won the Freedom Conference championship and qualified for their first NCAA Division III playoff appearance. He spent the 1993 season at American International, 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 for the Big Red, also serving as offensive coordinator for the freshman team. Barnum’s first collegiate coaching experience came at Western Washington, coaching the offensive line from 1989-90.

Barnum also served as an assistant football coach in the prep ranks, coaching at Columbia River HS in Vancouver, Wash., and Central Valley HS in Spokane, Wash. 

Barnum is a 1987 graduate of Eastern Washington University.

*Updated July 1, 2009