Tony Barbee
Encyclopedia
Tony Barbee is an American college basketball
coach and the head coach of the men's basketball program at Auburn University
. Barbee played college basketball for the University of Massachusetts
under Coach John Calipari
. Barbee later served as an assistant under Calipari at Memphis
and often cited Calipari as his mentor. Barbee had previously coached at UTEP
. On March 24, 2010, Barbee was named the new head coach at Auburn University, becoming Auburn's first African-American head coach in a major sport.
, and grew up as a fan of the nearby Butler University Bulldogs
. Butler recruited him to play for the team, but Barbee chose to play for UMass instead. In his four years as a Minuteman, Barbee averaged double-figures in scoring every year. He finished with 1,643 career points. The Atlantic 10 named him to the league Freshman Team in 1989–90, and the Second Team in 1990–91 and 1992–93. The Minutemen compiled a 91–39 overall record during Barbee's four years, and advanced to two NITs
and two NCAA Tournaments
. He graduated from UMass in 1993 with a degree in Sports Management.
After UMass, Barbee played professional basketball in Spain
and France
.
was promoted to head coach, Barbee was also promoted to assistant coach, where he would work with the Minutemen for two additional seasons.
Barbee spent the 1998–99 season as an assistant coach with Wyoming. He then returned to UMass for one more season, and then moved to Calipari's staff again, this time at Memphis, starting in the 2000–01 season, where he would establish a reputation as an excellent recruiter. Barbee spent six years with the Tigers, as the team compiled a 148–59 record.
, who moved to coach Nebraska
. Barbee was the first African-American head coach in UTEP men's basketball history. This was another milestone for the program, as their 1966 team, then known as Texas Western, became the first team with five African-American starters to win a title game, defeating Kentucky
and their all-white team.
Barbee spent four seasons in El Paso, and the Miners improved steadily each year. The 2009–10 season was the highlight during Barbee's tenure. The Miners made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five seasons. Their regular season conference title was the first since the 2003–04 season, when UTEP was a member of the WAC
. Barbee was named the C-USA Coach of the Year, as well as the NABC District 11 Coach of the Year.
The Miners went 82–52 under Barbee's leadership.
. Barbee was the first African-American head coach in a major sport at Auburn. His first year
at Auburn also coincided with the inaugural year at the new Auburn Arena, and the Tigers finished 5th in the SEC West with an overall record of 11–20 .
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
coach and the head coach of the men's basketball program at Auburn University
Auburn Tigers men's basketball
The Auburn Tigers men's basketball program is the college basketball program that represents Auburn University, competing in the Southeastern Conference. The program began in 1905. Though they generally play under the shadow of the football program, the Tigers have had successes on the hardwood...
. Barbee played college basketball for the University of Massachusetts
UMass Minutemen basketball
The UMass Minutemen basketball team, also known as the Massachusetts Minutemen, represents the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Massachusetts, in NCAA Division I men's competition...
under Coach John Calipari
John Calipari
John Calipari is an American basketball coach. Since April 2009, he has been the men's head coach at the University of Kentucky....
. Barbee later served as an assistant under Calipari at Memphis
Memphis Tigers basketball
The Memphis Tigers men's basketball team represents the University of Memphis in NCAA Division I men's college basketball. The Tigers compete in Conference USA, in which they have won six regular season and four conference tournament championships. As of 2011, the Tigers have the 29th highest...
and often cited Calipari as his mentor. Barbee had previously coached at UTEP
UTEP Miners men's basketball
The UTEP Miners basketball team is an NCAA Division I men's college basketball team competing in the Conference USA. Home games are played at Don Haskins Center, located on University of Texas at El Paso's campus in El Paso.-Don Haskins Center:...
. On March 24, 2010, Barbee was named the new head coach at Auburn University, becoming Auburn's first African-American head coach in a major sport.
Early years
Barbee was born in Indianapolis, IndianaIndianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, and grew up as a fan of the nearby Butler University Bulldogs
Butler Bulldogs
All but one of Butler University's 19 intercollegiate teams compete in the Horizon League, along with Cleveland State, Detroit, Green Bay, Loyola, Milwaukee, UIC, Valparaiso, Wright State and Youngstown State...
. Butler recruited him to play for the team, but Barbee chose to play for UMass instead. In his four years as a Minuteman, Barbee averaged double-figures in scoring every year. He finished with 1,643 career points. The Atlantic 10 named him to the league Freshman Team in 1989–90, and the Second Team in 1990–91 and 1992–93. The Minutemen compiled a 91–39 overall record during Barbee's four years, and advanced to two NITs
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
and two NCAA Tournaments
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
. He graduated from UMass in 1993 with a degree in Sports Management.
After UMass, Barbee played professional basketball in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Assistant coaching
For the 1995–96 season, Barbee returned to college basketball as a graduate assistant at UMass, helping as the Minutemen reached the Final Four for the first time in program history. After Calipari moved to the NBA and Bruiser FlintBruiser Flint
James "Bruiser" Flint is an American men's basketball coach. He is currently the head coach at Drexel University, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he was born.-Collegiate playing career:...
was promoted to head coach, Barbee was also promoted to assistant coach, where he would work with the Minutemen for two additional seasons.
Barbee spent the 1998–99 season as an assistant coach with Wyoming. He then returned to UMass for one more season, and then moved to Calipari's staff again, this time at Memphis, starting in the 2000–01 season, where he would establish a reputation as an excellent recruiter. Barbee spent six years with the Tigers, as the team compiled a 148–59 record.
UTEP
Barbee was hired as the coach of the Miners on August 14, 2006, succeeding Doc SadlerDoc Sadler
-External links:*...
, who moved to coach Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers men's basketball
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college basketball. The program saw its first game in 1896 playing 7-on-7 basketball. The first collegiate game was against Nebraska Wesleyan University...
. Barbee was the first African-American head coach in UTEP men's basketball history. This was another milestone for the program, as their 1966 team, then known as Texas Western, became the first team with five African-American starters to win a title game, defeating Kentucky
Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball
The Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, representing the University of Kentucky, is the winningest in the history of college basketball, both in all-time wins and all-time winning percentage. Kentucky's all-time record currently stands at 2058–647...
and their all-white team.
Barbee spent four seasons in El Paso, and the Miners improved steadily each year. The 2009–10 season was the highlight during Barbee's tenure. The Miners made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five seasons. Their regular season conference title was the first since the 2003–04 season, when UTEP was a member of the WAC
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
. Barbee was named the C-USA Coach of the Year, as well as the NABC District 11 Coach of the Year.
The Miners went 82–52 under Barbee's leadership.
Auburn
Barbee was hired as the coach of the Tigers on March 24, 2010, succeeding Jeff LeboJeff Lebo
-External links:*** @ basketballreference.com...
. Barbee was the first African-American head coach in a major sport at Auburn. His first year
2010–11 Auburn Tigers men's basketball team
The 2010–11 Auburn Tigers men's basketball team represented Auburn University in the 2010–11 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. This season marked a new era for the school in more than one respect. It was the first year of the Tony Barbee era of Auburn basketball. Barbee replaced ousted coach...
at Auburn also coincided with the inaugural year at the new Auburn Arena, and the Tigers finished 5th in the SEC West with an overall record of 11–20 .