Dixie State Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jon Judkins announced Tuesday the hiring of former DSU standout Jeremiah Barnes as a new assistant coach. Barnes, who played at Dixie State for two seasons from 2009-11, most recently served as an assistant coach at fellow Pacific West Conference member Academy of Art the past five seasons.
“It has been a humbling experience to have Coach Judkins extend the invitation to join his staff,” Coach Barnes said. “He played an influential role in helping me get into the coaching profession. I am beyond thrilled to be learning from him again and to be returning home to my alma mater. I’m ready to get to work and add value in any way that I can. It’s a great time to be a Trailblazer.”
Barnes was part of two NCAA tournament teams as a player at Dixie State and helped lead the program to the 2011 West Regional final (Sweet 16). He started in 27 of 55 career games played and averaged 8.7 points and 3.0 rebounds a contest. Barnes still holds DSU’s single game record for assists with 13 set in a home win vs. Pacifica (12/04/10) and is ranked seventh all-time in career assists with 215 (3.9 apg).
“We’re really excited to have Jeremiah and his family return home to our program,” Coach Judkins said. “He will work very closely with our guards, which will be a tremendous benefit to them, and our players are really going to enjoy learning from him. Knowing the California area like he does, he is going to bring a lot of strength to us in recruiting.”
A native of Compton, Calif., Barnes earned his Bachelor’s degree in Integrated Studies from Dixie State in 2011. He and his wife Krystle are expecting their first child later this year.
