Oregon State AD Scott Barnes livid about Pac-12 defections: ‘Puts this university in harm’s way’
“I’m furious.”
Those two words summed up the feelings of Oregon State athletic director Scott Barnes, hours after Beavers’ athletics was shaken to its core when
Oregon and Washington decided to bolt for the Big Ten Conference.
The move of those two programs left the Pac-12 in disarray, as the seven remaining members tried to figure out what’s next. For Oregon State, is that a retooled Pac-12? Mountain West? Big 12? Something else?
Barnes declined to discuss Oregon State’s options. Barnes said he and key OSU staff members have been scenario planning for weeks, and “we will continue to pursue” remaining possibilities. Barnes disclosed that there are multiple options for OSU’s conference future.
Among the options unavailable to OSU is a conference that includes long-standing rivalries with Oregon and Washington. Or playing in the conference that stood for decades as best in the West.
Barnes didn’t hold back on his feelings toward Oregon and Washington leaving the conference for a lucrative deal with the Big Ten.
“The great history and tradition of this conference has been severely damaged. The best interest of the student athlete hasn’t been served,” Barnes said. “Traveling to the Eastern seaboard multiple times a year is not in the best interest of student-athletes.
“I’m furious because it puts this university in harm’s way and our student athletes in harm’s way. There’s some damage done that we’re going to have to mitigate.”
The past 18 hours have been turbulent. Thursday night it appeared Arizona was on the verge of leaving for the Big 12, and multiple schools held emergency board of regents meetings. No decisions emerged, then Friday morning word leaked that the Pac-12 might remain as a nine-team conference.
“We were literally hours away from a deal that everybody could embrace,” Barnes said.
At the 11th hour, the Big Ten reengaged and lured Oregon and Washington from the Pac-12.
Oregon State is Barnes’ fourth school as athletic director. This is the fifth conference realignment of his career, but like nothing he’s experienced.
“I’ve never seen so many last-minute decision and twists and turns as I’ve seen through this process,” Barnes said. “Conference realignment just doesn’t make sense anymore. What this enterprise was built on was regionality and rivalries. That is gone. That is leaving the Pac-12. Some of the most special pieces about our model is regionality of competition and rivalries. Those things are forgotten.”
Oregon revealed in a press release that it would “prioritize competition across all sports with Oregon State.” Barnes wasn’t that certain.
“To be determined,” he said.
As for a timetable on finding a new home, Barnes said “we will move expeditiously and work with others. Our intent is to work with the remaining Pac-12 members; it’s a strong option. We’ll look at other opportunities. The timing is something we want to pursue as soon as possible, but we have some time to get it right.”
Most options point to Oregon State having to work with a smaller budget. The athletic budget for the 2023-24 school year is $95 million. Barnes wouldn’t speculate on how OSU might tackle a smaller budget. The Mountain West, for example, has school budgets ranging from $39 million to $65 million.
Barnes said Oregon State coaching contracts are secure. The largest is football coach Jonathan Smith, who signed a six-year, $30.6 million contract in December. Men’s basketball coach Wayne Tinkle still has more than $10 million left on his deal.
Barnes said the debt service on Reser Stadium, which is wrapping up a $161 million remodel this summer, is not an issue.
“Reser Stadium is actually a revenue generator. Not only do we cover the debt service, but we generate upwards of $4 to $5 million in additional dollars. Reser is a huge financial opportunity and is obviously counted on even more now,” Barnes said.
Barnes oversees an athletic department with 179 employees and some 600 athletes, many who will have questions. Barnes said the message will be to control what OSU can control.
“We’ve got so much to sell,” Barnes said. “The reason we have coaches stay and less numbers of students-athletes leave is because this place is special. We’re gonna lean into that and remember that as we find a new path forward.”
Barnes is hopeful this saga ends soon.
“The sooner we get back to football and who’s starting at quarterback and who we’re playing next is better, right?” Barnes said.
https://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/...ctions-puts-this-university-in-harms-way.html
