Larry Larkin
Sports Writer
CLAREMORE —
The selection this past week of Justin Barkley as the new Rogers State men’s basketball coach has brought mixed reactions. Not good and bad, mind you, but delight and surprise.
For the ones close to the scene the choice is a perfect fit. Hillcat athletic director Wren Baker has no doubt Barkley is the right person to step in and fill the bill. Because Barkley has served as an RSU assistant the last two years, Baker has had a keen observation to see how the young man thinks and handles himself.
Barkley is certainly the returning players’ pick. Many times their choices are a no factor when a school needs a new coach. Someone new comes in and the current players are pushed aside.
This will not happen at RSU. With Barkley serving as an assistant coach, he and several of the current Hillcats have helped compile a 53-13 record over the past two seasons.
Okay, this is the catch for most of the “surprised” ones. He doesn’t have the experience yet to be a winning head coach, some have said. Others ask the question if RSU wants to continue its rapid climb in the college sports world, why not bring in a seasoned coach .
In most cases maybe this would be reasonable concerns. It was reported by Baker some 80 coaches inquired about the job. The list was narrowed down to a 4-year college head coach, a junior college head coach, a head coach for high school, and two college assistants.
Probably any of the finalists and several of the other candidates could maybe come in and do a great job. Still the search committee decided they wanted Barkley.
It doesn’t take experience to coach a winning team. It takes a Winner to produce victories.
Justin Barkley may be only 29 years old, but he has been a winner all his life. Be it winning the Claremore Elk Lodge annual elementary basketball shooting contests, or winning state high school and national college championships, or being an assistant on a team reaching a national tournament for the first time in 16 years, Barkley knows how to win.
Another key element in his selection is the probability he will stick around. Take a look as his father and high school coach. Clyde Barkley has been Inola’s head boys’ basketball coach for 33 seasons. Like his father, Justin is a life-long native of Rogers County.
For different reasons the turnover of coaches for the RSU men basketball program has been like a revolving door. Baker came here in 2006 to form a total sports program almost from the ground up. He was the first basketball coach and was one of the youngest college ADs.
Following the 2007-08 season he decided to turn the reins over to assistant Lloyd Williams. Then shortly after his second year as head coach ended, Williams unexpectedly resigned.
The reason for Williams’ exit is not public knowledge, but Baker’s decision has paid off for the school on the Hill. New sports programs have increased each year.
Now Justin Barkley steps into the role as Hillcat basketball coach. Look for him to stay around for awhile.
