After six seasons as the assistant coach under Gary Anderson and 11 seasons as the head coach for the Long Beach City College (LBCC) Men's Basketball program, Head Coach Barry Barnes has been named the Interim Director of Basketball Operations. Barnes has a eleven-year career record of 74-42 in the South Coast Conference (SCC), and 171-134 overall.
"Barry Barnes has become a mainstay as a coach at LBCC," said Interim Athletics Director Bill Husak. "He has created a successful program both in wins and academic performance. In addition, he helps young people mature for that next phase in life whether or not it will include basketball. I look forward to his continued leadership of the program and influence on the Department and College."
During the 2019-2020 season, the Vikings took third place in the SCC and compiled an 18-10 overall record. In the previous season, Barnes led his team to a South Coast Conference Co-Champion title and earned the SCC Coach of the Year Award. The team advanced all the way to the final round of the California Community College Athletics Association Southern California Regional Playoffs.
Under Coach Barnes, Long Beach has advanced to post-season play seven out of the last 11 years, and repeated as South Coast Conference Champions in the 2014 and 2015 seasons, where Barnes was also honored as the South Coast Conference Coach of the Year and led the Vikings to the Elite Eight in the Southern California Regional Playoffs, with a 7-1 conference and 23-7 overall record.
During his six seasons as an assistant at LBCC, Barnes helped lead the Vikings to three consecutive SCC South Division championships (2005-2007) as well as a State Championships Elite Eight appearance in 2006. Long Beach also qualified for post-season play during five of those six seasons.
Prior to Long Beach, Barnes was an assistant coach for four years (2000-04) at California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH). Barnes also served as head junior varsity coach and assistant varsity coach at Lakewood in 1989.
Barnes played two seasons at LBCC (1982-84), making All-Metro Team Honorable Mention. He transferred to Biola University where in 1985 and was selected All-Tournament Team in the Point Loma Classic, NAIA District III All-State Tournament Team, and All-American Second Team of the NCCAA.
As a 1982 graduate of Lakewood High School, Barnes helped lead Lakewood to its first ever basketball CIF Championship. His senior season, he was named Second Team All-CIF, All-Moore League, LA Times All-South Coast 3rd Team CIF, and All-CIF Tournament Team for the 1982 CIF Champions.
"I am so thankful and excited for this opportunity, I'm looking forward to starting a new chapter in my life." said Barnes.
Barnes earned his Bachelor's of Arts degree in Physical Education from CSUDH and his Master's of Science degree in Physical Education from Azusa Pacific University.