Rod Barnes Biography

The Ole Miss basketball program, coming off consecutive SEC Western Division titles and NCAA Tournament appearances in 1997 and 1998 had a problem. They needed a new basketball coach, the previous coach having departed for "greener pastures." Chancellor Robert C. Khayat said; One name surfaced immediately, a person we have known for many years and have admired him, a person who has made incredible contributions to this University." Enter, Rod Barnes.

Chancellor Khayat went on to say; Rod Barnes came to Ole Miss as a young, thin freshman. Many people questioned whether he could play Southeastern Conference basketball. He became an All-Southeastern Conference basketball player and the physical, spiritual and moral leader of his team. He?s an extraordinary human being. "It's a great opportunity," said Barnes, who was a Rebels assistant coach five seasons before his promotion to head coach. "I'm so thankful to Him that He would choose me to stand for Him. God continues to show Himself every day and He continues to bless me everyday. I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to stand before people and let them know how good God is."

Barnes goal since his playing days at Ole Miss was to become head coach of the Rebels. He completed his degree requirements the following year. Barnes then went to Livingston University, now West Alabama, as an assistant coach. He stayed there three seasons contributing to a significant turn-around in Livingston's basketball program. The chance for Barnes to return to Ole Miss in 1993 was "answered prayer" for Barnes, a devout Christian. In five "short" years Barnes was given the opportunity to become the head coach at Ole Miss and he has not looked back since.

As an assistant coach at Ole Miss Barnes helped coach the Rebels' to two SEC Western Division Titles, first regular season titles in Ole Miss basketball history. The Rebels had consecutive 20-win seasons, their first since the late 1930's and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 1997 and 98', the first ever in the schools history.

The 2001 season represents what Barnes expects every season to look like. All the Rebels did was win 27 games, a SEC Western Division title, SEC Tournament title game appearance, the program's first since 1990 and earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament's "Sweet Sixteen" party. In recogniton of a stellar coaching job in an outstanding year Barnes won the prestigious Naismith Coach of the Year award, CollegeInsider.com National Coach of the Year, SEC Coach of the Year and to top it all off the Rebels received a Number 9 national ranking in the 2001 final coaches poll, the program's highest ranking ever.

The 2003-04' season is Barnes sixth as the University of Mississippi Men's Head Basketball Coach. In his tenure to date Barnes has coached Ole Miss to four post season appearances. The Rebels have won 100 games in five seasons, the most in a similar span in school history. The Rebels recorded the program's 1,000th win, the schools first ever NCAA Tournament "Sweet 16" appearance and a school record 27 wins in a season.

Barnes was an outstanding basketball player for Ole Miss. He did not miss a start in three seasons, 86 consecutive games. In his senior season Barnes averaged scoring 19 points per game while shooting almost 50 per cent from the field. He shot a whopping 85 percent from the free throw line. Barnes became the first player in Ole Miss history to record 500 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists in a season. After his senior season he was named All-SEC and was an All-America honorable mention pick by The Sporting News.

With all this success, both team-wise and individually, Barnes would be the first to tell you that winning is not his number one priority. Of more importance to him than winning is seeing young men graduate who have the skills, interest and desire to lead productive lives in whatever endeavor they may choose, once their basketball playing days are behind them.

Rod Barnes graduated from Ole Miss with a degree in Business Administration.

Some of his accomplishments are:

Helped coach Rebels to two SEC Western Division Titles
First regular season titles in Ole Miss basketball history
Helped coach Rebels to consecutive 20-win seasons
First consecutive 20-win seasons since late 1930's
Consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 1997 and 98' first in schools history
Coached Rebels to a 27 win season - 2000-01'
Coached Rebels to a SEC Western Division title - 2001'
SEC Tournament title game appearance program?s first since 1990
Earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament's "Sweet Sixteen" party - 2001'
Won the prestigious Naismith Coach of the Year award - 2001'
CollegeInsider.com National Coach of the Year SEC Coach of the Year - 2001'
Rebels received Number 9 national ranking in 2001 final coaches poll program?s highest ever
Coached Ole Miss to four post season appearances
Rebels have won 100 games in five seasons most in similar span in school history
Rebels recorded the program's 1,000th win
Rebels achieved schools first ever NCAA Tournament "Sweet 16" appearance
Set a school record 27 wins in a season
Started in 86 consecutive games over 3 seasons
Averaged scoring 19 points per game in senior year
Shot almost 50 per cent from the field
Shot a whopping 85 percent from the free throw line
First player in Ole Miss history to record 500 points, 100 rebounds, 100 assists in a season
Named All-SEC his senior season
All-America honorable mention pick by The Sporting News his senior season
Graduated from Ole Miss with a degree in Business Administration