BREAKING: Pitt State Announces Crowder’s Josh Barnes as New Head Softball Coach
PITTSBURG, KS — It did not take long for Pitt State to find a new leader for their softball as Josh Barnes has been announced as their new Head Softball Coach.
We've got our guy.
Pitt State announces the hiring of Josh Barnes to lead the Gorilla Softball program ????
Barnes has spent the last two years at NJCAA powerhouse Crowder College.@Gorilla_SFB|@pittstate pic.twitter.com/NnyilE9yOo— Pitt State Athletics ?? (@PittStGorillas) July 26, 2024
Barnes is coming from Crowder College where has been the Head Coach for the past two seasons.
Barnes turned Crowder into a powerhouse posting a 89-37 overall record in two years.
Barnes helped guide the Roughriders to back-to-back Region 16 Tournament Championships the past two years.
Crowder was 45-16 in 2023 and finished 44-21 this past season.
Before Crowder, Barnes spent time at McCook Community College and Angelina College.
Pitt State Athletic Director Jim Johnson commented on the addition of Barnes to the program.
“We are excited to have Josh join Gorilla Nation and the Pittsburg community as our head softball coach,” Johnson said. “We wish Jenny and her family all the best with this new opportunity in Louisiana. In today’s college environment it was extremely important for us to move swiftly in addressing our head coach position for the sake of our student-athletes as well as our program’s continued growth moving forward.
“Josh has enjoyed tremendous success at the NJCAA level the past two years practically in our back yard at Crowder, so it didn’t take any time to target him to lead our program moving forward. He is a charismatic leader and a tireless recruiter. I think our student-athletes, staff and the community will quickly embrace Josh and his family.”
In his 7 years as a NJCAA Head Coach, he has amassed 221 wins.
Barnes attended the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kansas where he was also a baseball player and earned a NAIA Rawlings Gold Glove Award back in 2011.
“My family and I are excited to join the Pittsburg community and represent Pittsburg State University,” Barnes said. “Growing up in Kansas, Pitt State has always been a place and community I admired. I am thankful for the opportunity given to me by Athletic Director Jim Johnson and President Dan Shipp to lead the softball team. I look forward to continuing the success established by Jenny, and Brad (Fuller), centered around great culture and hard work!”
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