however, former athletic director scott barnes recently inked deals with tv stations, replaced the head football coach, raised funds, and accomplished numerous necessary reorganizations, despite the athletics department's dismal budget in comparison with other state and conference schools. in large part due to his efforts, usu athletics was crowned the 2009 national champion of the excellence in management cup, which seeks to identify the university that wins the most championships with the lowest expenses. the aggies brought in wac championships in five sports during the 2008–09 academic year, tied for the most in school history.