Following the most successful Division I season in program history, SIUE men’s basketball Head Coach Brian Barone has agreed to a contract extension to remain the Cougars’ head coach through at least the 2025-26 season.
“I want to thank Chancellor Minor for his impact on the entire university and for showing confidence in me while acknowledging the progress we’ve made in our program. His positive impact since arriving on campus is felt on a daily basis” Barone said. “We intend to continue on this upward trajectory as we pursue conference championships while our student athletes continue to make positive contributions in our community. My current players and the players that came before them mean so much to my family. With their belief, our men’s basketball program reached historic heights this past season.”
Since becoming the head coach at the start of 2019-20 season, Barone has rebuilt and re-energized the men’s basketball program, highlighted by winning a Division I school-record 19 games this season. SIUE also achieved program highs in Ohio Valley Conference wins (9), nonconference wins (9) and road wins (7). The Cougars finished the 2022-23 season with a 19-14 record, advanced to the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament for the third-straight season and won the first OVC Tournament game in program history.
“The leadership Derrick Brown has provided during our athletic department transition has been nothing short of outstanding,” Barone continued. “It has impacted me and our program in a variety of positive ways. As we welcome Andrew Gavin into his role as athletic director, I also greatly appreciate his belief in my ability to continue to lead our program to even greater heights. I am excited to work under his guidance.”
In addition to the historic success in OVC action, the 2022-23 season featured the championship at the JK54 Classic in November and a 69-67 victory at Saint Louis on Dec. 21.
“Brian has done a wonderful job leading our men’s basketball program and we are eager to watch him build on that success for years to come,” said SIUE Interim Athletic Director Derrick Brown. “Not only is Brian a great coach, but his passion to lead these young men on and off the courts is unmatched. We are all excited to see our team continue to grow under Brian’s leadership.”
Under Barone, redshirt sophomore Ray’Sean Taylor was selected to the All-OVC First Team and was an All-District pick by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, both program-firsts. Sophomore guard Demarco Minor was a member of the OVC All-Newcomer Team and was named OVC Newcomer of the Week, three different times during the season, becoming the first SIUE player to do so.
“I’m thrilled by the mutual commitment between SIUE and Coach Barone to continue building our men’s basketball program,” incoming Director of Athletics Andrew Gavin said. “This was a historic season in Edwardsville, and I commend Coach Barone, our staff, and our student-athletes for that success. We also know it is only the beginning, and we’re excited to support Coach Barone and the program as we reach new heights on and off the court.”
“My family is grateful to continue to be part of the SIUE and Edwardsville community for years to come,” Barone said.
