Whatever you think of Joe Parker right about now, the man isn’t deaf.

He’s heard the grumblings about his most celebrated staffer, CSU Rams football coach Mike Bobo. The grumblings about a second straight season that’s opened with a 1-3 start. And, more specifically, the grumblings about that five-year extension for Bobo he unveiled to Rams fans in December 2017.

“I think that’s something that people have pointed to over (the) last two seasons, (and) the way we’ve started this season so far,” Parker told The Post this week.

“I’m not going to second-guess that decision. I think (the extension) was in the best interest of creating stability and accountability for our program. Obviously, we don’t know the ultimate outcome (given) where we’re at (in the season) right now.”

That said, he also understands the collective gnashing of teeth coming off a home loss to Toledo late last Saturday night, the football program’s eighth defeat in its last nine games dating back to Oct. 19, 2018. And the spotlight it cast on the contract extension Parker approved nearly two years ago in an effort to keep Bobo at Fort Collins for the long term.

In it, the university doubled down on their football coach, who’d led the Rams to bowl appearances during each of his first three seasons at the helm. According to the contract, CSU is on the hook for a buyout of $5.5 million if Bobo is let go at any point through Dec. 31. That financial obligation drops to $3 million on New Year’s Day, then to $2 million on Jan. 1, 2021.

“Anywhere I’ve been, at six institutions, there’s never a shortage of opinions,” Parker said. “And what you try to do is acknowledge the frustrations that people are sharing and stay true to your convictions and stay true to what you think is going to bring success.”

For Parker, that picture includes Bobo, whose contract extension through 2022 was announced just a few days before the CSU met Marshall in the 2017 New Mexico Bowl.

Since that extension became public, the Rams have posted a record of 4-13 (.235), including a 3-9 campaign last fall that was marked by inexperience, injuries, defensive struggles and Bobo’s battles with peripheral neuropathy.

Bobo, 45, has said he’s just about moving at full speed again this fall. But the on-field issues — especially on defense, where the Rams are surrendering 239.5 rushing yards and 40.3 points per game — have so far carried over from a star-crossed 2018, despite the emergence of freshman wideout Dante Wright.

“I think for every one of our programs, it’s best to reflect on an entire season before you formulate opinions,” Parker said. “(Bobo is) going to put as much pressure on himself as anyone can. I don’t think an athletic director getting in some coach’s ear is going to make anything mutually beneficial.”

Parker said that while his communication with Bobo is constant, evaluation of the football program won’t take place in earnest until the regular season is complete. The Rams open Mountain West conference play at Utah State (2-1, 1-0 league) early Saturday night.

“(A) 1-3 (record) is not where we’d like to be with the conclusion of our non-conference schedule,” Parker stressed. “But we’re looking ahead. There’s still a lot of football to be played. We’ve got eight games to go. I think, on some levels, the team has performed well and obviously, on others, there have been some deficiencies. But every week provides an opportunity to correct and learn and get the students prepared to play at a higher level. So it’s difficult for me, or for anyone, to make a complete assessment of where we are as a football team right now.”