Former Ole Miss Coach Rod Barnes named new ICC Basketball Head Coach

FULTON, Miss. – Legendary former Ole Miss men’s basketball coach Rod Barnes named the new Itawamba Community College head basketball coach. He had previous tenures with Cal State Bakersfield and Georgia State as well. Barnes continues to shine a bright light on Ole Miss as a whole with his new role at ICC. 

Barnes played for the Rebels from 1985 to 1988. He was an honorable mention All-American selection his senior season. He then served as an assistant coach under head coach Rob Evans from 1993-1998, during which he was named the head coach of the Rebels on April 9th. Barnes was the Rebels’ head coach until 2006. During his time as head coach, he won 141 games and made four postseason appearances, including a Sweet 16 run in 2001. He was named the 2001 Naismith and CollegeInsider.com National Coach of the Year as well as SEC Coach of the Year (2001).

Barnes left behind a tremendous legacy with the Rebels, then spent years at Georgia State (2007–2011) and Cal State Bakersfield (2011–2025). He now switches focus back to home with his newest role at ICC.

Barnes is replacing the former head coach, Darrian Wilson, who stepped down to join the Jackson State staff. The Indians finished the 2025-26 season with a 22-6 overall record, won the MACCC regular season championship for the first time since 2013-14, and advanced to the NJCAA Region 23 championship game, according to the ICC press release.

Barnes’ return to coaching in Mississippi is coming with high expectations. ICC is a program with championship expectations, with huge momentum after last season. If anyone can make it work, it is the new head coach, Rod Barnes.