The Magnolia State has a funny way of pulling its legends back home. That proved true yet again with legendary Rod Barnes.
Ole Miss's basketball legend is back and the Mississippi basketball scene is better for it. Barnes, the celebrated ex-Rebels coach who led the program to it's first Sweet 16 appearance, is heading back to the Sip as the newly appointed head coach at the Itawamba Community College.
ICC hires legendary Rod Barnes
The Ole Miss men's basketball icon replaces former ICC coach Darrian Wilson. Wilson stepped down from his role on April 8 after accepting a role at Jacson State as an assistant head coach in Trey Johnson's squad.
"This is an exciting day for ICC and our men's basketball program," ICC President Dr. Jay Allen said in a press release.
"Coach Barnes is a proven leader with a strong record of developing student-athletes and building successful programs. His experience at the highest levels of college basketball makes this a tremendous hire for the College. We believe he will be a great fit for our students-athletes, our campus and our community."
Barnes is coming off a brief stint at Cal State Bakersfield from 2011-25. In 2016, Barnes led the program to its first NCAA Tournament appearance. He is the second winningest coach in the program's history.
While the record books show others as the winningest coach, the heart of Rebel Nation still belongs to Barnes as its definitive Hall of Fame coach. Barnes also won the SEC coach of the year, and the Naismith National Coach of the Year at Ole Miss.
"Coach Barnes brings a level of experience, leadership and respect that will immediately benefit the program," ICC Athletic Director Dr. Chad Case added.
"We are excited about the vision he brings and look forward to seeing him build on the program's success."
The Ole Miss fans would be thrilled to see Coach Barnes back in action in Fulton.
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