Ron Lievense has announced his retirement after 29 years as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Barton College, school officials announced today. Associate Head Coach Joel Zimmerman has been named Interim Head Coach for the 2025-26 season.
Lievense, who has been at the helm of the Bulldogs since the 1996-97 season, leaves as the school’s all-time winningest coach, compiling a 518-314 mark as Barton mentor, including 10 seasons of 20 or more victories.
Lievense led the Bulldogs to the 2007 NCAA Division II National Championship, a thrilling 77-75 win over top-ranked Winona State in Springfield, Mass., where the Bulldogs rallied from ten points down with 45 seconds left to take the crown. For his efforts, Lievense was named the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Coach of the Year.
Under Lievense’s reign, Barton captured six Conference Carolinas regular season championships, four league regular season titles and earned seven berths to the NCAA Division II tournament. Lievense also led the Bulldogs to a pair of NCAA Division II Regional Championships in 2006 and 2007.
Statement from Barton Vice President and Director of Athletics Ken Tyler
“Ron Lievense has left an indelible mark on Barton College and the community of Wilson, N.C. He is one of the most accomplished basketball coaches in the country, and his record and accolades speak for themselves. Beyond the numbers, Coach Lievense has been a tremendous leader and mentor for countless student-athletes and colleagues, and his impact goes far beyond the court. His Christian heart and unwavering faith are the characteristics that most define Ron, and we are honored to call him a teammate and friend. Coach Lievense will be missed, but his legacy will always remain at Barton College.”
Lievense coached 20 players to professional contracts, while four players earned either All-American (Anthony Atkinson, Tim Black and Gerald Boston) or honorable mention All-American (Chris Fleming) accolades.
Lievense was named the Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year four times and was inducted into the Barton Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018. In 2017, Lievense was presented with a “Legend of the Game” Award by the league for his outstanding career achievements.
Lievense, a native of Bloomington, Minn., also coached three years at Averett (1984-87) in Danville, Va., and five seasons at St. Andrews (1991-96) in Laurinburg, N.C., and compiled 578 career victories.
Lievense is active in FCA and earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Thomas College in St. Paul, Minn. and master’s from Winona State. Lievense and his wife, Darla, are the proud parents of three daughters: Tiffany, Kristy and Angela, all Barton College graduates.
Statement from Ron Lievense
“I would like the Lord for this opportunity to coach at Barton College for 29 years. What a blessing it has been for me and our family.
“Thank you to Darla for her tremendous support of me and our players over these years has been amazing. To Tiffany, Kristy and Angela, thank you for being the best daughters a dad could have. To Barton Athletic Directors Gary Hall (who hired me), Todd Wilkinson, Britney Woodhull-Smith and current AD Ken Tyler for believing in me and for the support of Barton Presidents’ James Hemby, Norval Kneten and Douglas Searcy for their guidance and support.”
Thank you to all the great assistant coaches that have worked with me. Their tireless commitment to our teams made it special. Thank you to our athletic trainers and support staff that work so hard to get the players back on the court.
I also want to thank all of our former players who have worked so hard to build this program into a special one. You mean so much to me and to Barton College. You are so appreciated. Lastly, to our great fans. Thank you for your support through the great and not so great seasons. Go Bulldogs.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7
Lievense announces retirement as Head Basketball Coach at D2 Barton College
