Anthony Barringer has been hired as the new Montreat men’s basketball coach as announced by the school’s athletic department. Barringer takes the reigns of the Cavalier program following a year in which the team notched a 21-10 (17-7 AAC) record and made an appearance at the NAIA Men’s Basketball Opening Round.
A Carolina local, Barringer comes to Montreat following stops at Warren Wilson College, Mars Hill University and Asheville Christian Academy. Most recently, he spent time as the assistant boys’ basketball coach at Asheville Christian Academy for the past two years. While with the Lions, Barringer helped the team to both conference and state championships as ACA claimed the 2021 CAA Conference Championship and the 2021 NCISAA 3A State Championship.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Coach Barringer and his family to our Montreat College community!” stated Director of Athletics, Garrett Jones. “From early on in this search, Coach Barringer stood out amongst a competitive pool of candidates. His intentionality and passion when it comes to developing and challenging young men spiritually and academically aligned seamlessly with our Christ-centered mission here at Montreat College. Anthony also possesses a unique competitive drive and work ethic that will push and challenge our student-athletes to compete at a very high level in the ultra-competitive AAC.”
For the 2019-20 season, Barringer was the assistant coach at Mars Hill University. Under his assistance, the Lions rattled off the second-most conference wins in school history and qualified for the conference tournament for the first time since the conference tournament qualifications were restructured.
Barringer coached at Mars Hill following an impressive stretch as the head coach at his alma mater, Warren Wilson College. From 2015 to 2019, Barringer led the Owls to several program-defining moments. WWC made runs to the 2016 and 2018 USCAA Final Fours, while Barringer guided his team to the most regular-season victories in program history (17) and the highest USCAA seed in school history (#4) during 2016. Throughout his four years at the helm of the Owls’ program, Barringer also acted as the Sports Information Director at Warren Wilson, maintaining the athletics website, writing news articles, collaborating with local media and overseeing social media.
“First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Throughout this process, He has shown Himself once again to be faithful and trustworthy,” mentioned Barringer on his hiring. “I thank God for my wife. She has been my biggest supporter and cheerleader throughout my entire journey. To my friends and family who have prayed around the clock for the Lord’s will to be done, I am forever grateful for you all. Also, a big time thank you to President Maurer, Jose Larios, Garrett Jones and the entire search committee. From the moment I stepped on campus, they each displayed what Montreat College is all about and what Jesus is doing in this place. Thank you for seeing and believing in my vision,” he added.
Prior to Barringer’s ascent to head coach in 2015, he began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Owls for the 2014-15 season. Barringer served as the Director of Skill Development, the Recruiting Coordinator and the Director of Strength and Conditioning for the team. That year, Warren Wilson made it to the USCAA Elite 8.
A native of Charlotte, N.C. and current Lyman, S.C. resident, Barringer graduated from Warren Wilson with his bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2014.
Barringer was a standout guard for the Owls from 2011 to 2013, culminating in a plethora of honors for the 2012-13 season. After receiving team captain and team MVP distinctions, Barringer went on to earn USCAA All-Tournament Team and USCAA Honorable Mention All-American awards en route to guiding the Owls to the 2013 USCAA National Championship. Before his time at Warren Wilson, Barringer played at Catawba Valley Community College, where his team tallied the NJCAA Region X Championship.
Barringer is the founder and president of 323 Performance Enhancement, Inc., an organization based in Asheville, N.C. that focuses on skill development for basketball players, while also facilitating strength and conditioning workouts for athletes in all sports. Barringer started his non-profit organization in 2016.
“I look forward to serving this community, competing for championships and, most importantly, helping develop young men who graduate from Montreat College and be exactly who God created them to be. It’s a great day to be a Cavalier!” finished Barringer.
Barringer looks to immediately make his impact on the Cavalier men’s basketball program heading into the 2022-23 season.
Baringer named Head Basketball Coach at NAIA Montreat College
