CSU Bakersfield Athletics Director Kenneth ‘Ziggy’ Siegfried has announced a contract extension for head men’s basketball coach Rod Barnes following the conclusion of a historic season for the Roadrunners highlighted by the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance.
Under the terms of the new agreement, Barnes will receive a five-year contract extension to remain head coach at CSUB through the 2023 season. This term runs successive with the two years remaining on his current deal. Along with the additional years, Barnes’ base compensation will increase with a significant portion being paid through non-state funds as a result of private donations.
“Today is a special day as we announce a well-deserved long-term commitment to Coach Barnes. Since day one has put a focus on building our basketball program the right way in the four areas we focus on in our athletics department (academic excellence, student-athlete experience, competitive success and community engagement),” Siegfried said. “In addition to being a great leader of our men’s basketball program, Coach Barnes is also a role model for our entire athletics department.”
Barnes says this new contract is just another piece in building the men’s basketball program at CSU Bakersfield.
“Bridgett and I are pleased in the commitment that CSUB has made and is making to our family and the program,” he said. “They have entrusted us to continue to move our program to new heights.”
Barnes, the 2016 Western Athletic Conference ‘Don Haskins Coach of the Year’ led CSUB to a 24-9 overall record and the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance following a WAC Tournament championship. CSUB ended New Mexico State’s five-year run with a 57-54 buzzer-beating win in the WAC finals before arguably giving Oklahoma their toughest test on their course to the Final Four.
According to Barnes the administration has also played a key role in the progress being made by Roadrunner men’s basketball over his first five years including the support of university president Dr. Horace Mitchell, vice president for student affairs Dr. Thomas Wallace and director of athletics ZIggy Siegfried.
“Dr. Mitchell has been very supportive during our journey to build a respected program, his patience and commitment to building a top-notch Division I program is greatly appreciated,” he said. “Ziggy and I have been working and planning for months on ways to continue building the men’s basketball program, the contract extension is just one of the many things that was discussed during our talks. His support, leadership and enthusiasm makes it easy to share in the vision he has for our athletics department and our men’s basketball program.”
Mitchell says Barnes’ contributions to the program have been felt in many areas, not just the basketball program.
“In addition to being an outstanding coach, Rod Barnes is an exceptional person who recruits and develops young men who represent our athletics program, university, and community very well,” Mitchell said. “I always tell recruits that I want them to have a great athletic experience, but even more I want them to graduate from CSUB being ready to pursue their life goals after collegiate athletics. The two seniors on this year’s team will be graduating next month.”
Wallace believes Barnes is the right fit for the Roadrunners to meet the goals of the program.
“We are excited Coach Barnes will be leading the CSUB basketball program,” Wallace said. “He expects our players to be winners on the court and in the classroom.”
The Roadrunners hired Barnes in 2011, the Naismith Coach of the Year recipient has led the program to an 81-78 mark as head coach, including two seasons as an NCAA Independent before the program joined the WAC in 2013. He led CSUB to their first Division I postseason appearance following his first season as the team participated in the 2012 CIT. Barnes has twice been a Ben Jobe National Coach of the Year finalist, an annual award given to the nation’s top minority head coach.
“I want to thank our coaches, players, support staff and families for standing with us as we continue to climb our way to the top,” Barnes said. “Also, we could not do what we do without our fans and boosters, this has and will be a total team effort.”
“CSUB’s future is bright and I am truly blessed to be a part of it.”
The Roadrunners Under Rod Barnes
Since taking over the program, Barnes has not only brought a winning tradition to CSU Bakersfield but has successfully engaged the academic success and community support aspects of the position. His program recently received a 967 APR, the NCAA’s multi-year graduation rate, their highest score in history. In the classroom, the men’s basketball program has set new marks for team GPA and Dean’s list honors following the winter quarter. Two more seniors will be graduating during the spring commencement ceremonies.
Following the historic 2015-16 championship season and NCAA Tournament appearance, CSUB Athletics has experienced growth in a number of areas as a result:
· 2015-16 men’s basketball attendance doubled last season from the 2014-15 year
· Ticket revenue increased nearly 60% following the 2015-16 season
· Student attendance increased 78% in 2015-16
· Season ticket deposits for the 2016-17 season have increased by 50%
· $200,000 has been donated to the “Men’s Basketball Excellence Fund”
· Team has donated over 200 hours of community service this past year.
