Career
After he was appointed interim head coach after Nigel Burton was fired in November 2014, Barnum was named as the Vikings" permanent replacement as head coach on December 8, 2014. Barnum led the Vikings to a 24–17 upset over the Washington State Cougars at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington on September 5, 2015 for his first career victory as head coach. On October 10 Portland State defeated North Texas 66–7, giving Barnum and the Vikings their second victory over an FBS school in 2015.
