BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Cal State Bakersfield Men's Basketball Head Coach Rod Barnes is ending his accomplished tenure with the university, effective Sept. 24, 2025.
"I want to thank Coach Barnes for guiding our scholar-athletes since 2011 and for emphasizing academic excellence, teamwork, community engagement and the highest level of competition," said CSUB President Vernon B. Harper Jr. "His enthusiasm for our teams and student-athletes created excitement and spirit in the Icardo Center that spread beyond our campus, into the greater community, deepening loyalty to CSUB and nurturing a new generation of Roadrunner fans."
Acting Director of Athletics Dr. Sarah Tuohy has appointed Assistant Men's Basketball Coach Mike Scott to serve as Acting Head Coach while the university launches a nationwide search for a new leader for the program.
During his tenure, Barnes led the `Runners to postseason play four times, including three appearances over a four-year span. In 2015-16, he led CSUB to its best NCAA Division I record at 24-9 (11-3 WAC) while also guiding the `Runners to a WAC Tournament championship and their first NCAA Tournament appearance. During the 2016-17 season, Barnes built on the success of the 2016 NCAA Tournament bid, leading the team to a WAC regular-season championship, another first for the program.
During the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons, Barnes posted a 49-19 record and was named Don Haskins Coach of the Year in the Western Athletic Conference. He also was named Hugh Durham Mid Major Coach of the Year in 2017 by CollegeInsider.com.
"I also wish to commend Coach Barnes for his leadership of the men's basketball team through two defining moments in CSUB Athletics history: The transition to the Big West Conference and the challenges related to collegiate competition during the pandemic," Harper added.
"Please join me in thanking Coach Barnes for the passion and leadership he brought to the men's basketball team and our entire university and community."
~GoRunners.com~
