In the end, however, Guy didn't make enough progress in the category that matters - wins and losses.

As a result, Guy was fired Sunday afternoon. Barnes, who spoke with Guy's players on Sunday and urged them to remain in good academic standing, made the dismissal official Monday during USU's weekly football news conference at a downtown restaurant. Guy did not appear at the conference and was not made available to the media.

"It was a difficult decision because of the person Brent is," Barnes said. "But at the end of the day, the change was made because of a lack of any significant momentum this season."

Barnes said he asked Guy and his staff to remain in place through the Aggies season final against New Mexico State two weeks from now.

Guy is 8-38 over the past four seasons.

Part of his legacy will be the fact that he never won more than three games in a season.

"I thought it was important for the student-athletes that Brent finish out the season," Barnes said. "But the process will now begin. We will begin a national search for a new coach."

Barnes said he made his decision after the Aggies fell 45-38 at Louisiana Tech on Saturday. Some question the timing of the decision, but Barnes said that the time was right because the new coach needed to get a jump on recruiting for next season.

Barnes said the search would be "swift but thorough." He also emphatically said that no contact has been made with any of the candidates, despite rumors to the contrary about former USU coach John L. Smith.

Sources told The Tribune on Sunday that Guy needed to win four games to keep his job and earn the fifth year of his contract.

And while Barnes didn't readily admit that such a standard was in place, it explains why Guy was let go immediately after the Louisiana Tech defeat, which was the best game the Aggies have played on the road this season.

Barnes gave Guy credit for turning the program around off the field.

He acknowledged that recruiting has improved, that the team has become more competitive between the lines, and that facilities have improved to the point that this is no longer the unattractive job it was four years ago.

He also admitted that Guy pretty much started from scratch when building the program.

But he was clear that he wanted wins from Guy this season, and when they didn't come, Guy's job status became very tenuous.

After the Fresno State game, which USU lost on a last-second, 58-yard field goal, there was a big question as to whether such a hard-luck defeat would hurt Guy's chances. It's clear that it did.

"We want to be clear that this is not a do-over," Barnes said. "We're not starting this from scratch. This is a good job and a big reason for that is the job that Brent's done. The foundation is at a very different level than it was four years ago, and the resources are significantly better."

tjones@sltrib.com

What's next?

* A.D. Scott Barnes asked the coach to finish the season.

* Barnes said he has begun a "national search" for a new coach.

* Barnes said Guy's early dismissal was necessary to let his replacement get a jump on recruiting.

* Barnes gave Guy credit for turning the program around.