Louisiana Tech head coach Eric Konkol filled another spot on his coaching staff Wednesday with the announcement of Corey Barker as assistant coach.
Having spent last season as an assistant coach at Bowling Green State, Barker now joins Tony Skinn and Andy Fox as members of Konkol’s staff.
“I am thrilled that Corey Barker is joining our Louisiana Tech family,” Konkol said. “He is passionate about connecting with young people and mentoring them on and off the court. He has worked at multiple levels of basketball and has built strong relationships during his career. Corey is a tremendous addition to our staff.”
In his lone year on the Bowling Green coaching staff in 2014-15, the Falcons posted a 21-win season which was a nine-game improvement from the year before. It marked the first time BGSU posted 20+ victories since 2002.
The Falcons also made history in postseason play when they defeated Saint Francis (Pa.) in the first round of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament, earning the program’s first postseason win since 1975.
“I am very thankful for the opportunity to join the coaching staff at Louisiana Tech,” Barker said. “The Bulldogs have great basketball tradition and a rich history. I am extremely excited about the direction the program is headed under the leadership of coach Konkol and can’t wait to keep building on the success of the program.”
As a team, BGSU led the Mid-Atlantic Conference in scoring defense, allowing only 62.9 points per game, and fourth in the MAC in field goal percentage defense at 41.3 percent. Barker helped coach the anchor of the defense – Richaun Holmes – who was a first team All-MAC selection and was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year.
Barker came to Bowling Green after serving as an assistant coach at Arkansas State from 2012-14. In his two seasons, the Red Wolves posted back-to-back 19-win seasons, a first since 1987-89, and back-to-back appearances in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament semifinals. The 19 victories also tied for the program’s highest single season win total since 1998.
While at A-State, Barker helped coach four All-Sun Belt Conference players.
He arrived at Arkansas State after spending the 2011-12 as an assistant coach at Paris (Texas) Junior College where he helped lead the Blazers to a 23-6 overall record and to a Region XIV Zone Conference Championship title.
Prior to his coaching stint at Paris JC, Barker served one year as an assistant at North Forest High School in Houston, Texas. From 2005-10, he was an assistant at Humble Christian Life Center Academy in Humble, Texas where he recruited and coached Augustine Rubit (AP Honorable Mention All-American at South Alabama), Latavious Williams (Drafted by Miami Heat in 2010), Junior Cadougan (Marquette) and Kourtney Roberson (Texas A&M).
A native of Houston, he graduated from Prairie View A&M University in 2003 with a degree in kinesiology. As a player for the Panthers, he helped the team to their first conference title since 1962. Following his playing career, he served as a graduate assistant at his alma mater.
Barker has a fiancée, Tannica Gamble, and a stepson, Michael.
His hiring is pending the approval of the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System.
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