Kentucky assistant named new head coach at Central Michigan

John Calipari has a new position to fill on his Kentucky coaching staff.

That’s because Kentucky assistant coach Tony Barbee has been named the new head coach of Central Michigan’s basketball program on Friday.

Barbee had been on staff at Kentucky dating back to the 2014-15 season and worked with Calipari at UMass and Memphis before they came to Lexington.

“Tony is one of the best coaches I have ever coached with or against,” Calipari said in a released statement. “He has an unbelievable basketball mind. The game plans that he put together for us, especially on defense, were second to none. I have known him since he was 15 and I know how much this game means to him. He is my brother and always will be. I expect big things to happen for Central Michigan and their players under Tony’s leadership. He is ready for this and I look forward to watching his success.”

This won’t be Barbee’s first time as a head coach as he previously served as the leader at UTEP and Auburn programs. Barbee has an overall head coaching record of 131-127.

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We are proud to introduce Tony Barbee as the next head coach of the Central Michigan Men’s Basketball program.

?➡️https://t.co/j5xLrQnJmH#FireUpChips ?⬆️? || @CoachTonyBarbee pic.twitter.com/mDefpalozT

— CMU Men's Basketball (@CMUMensBBall) April 23, 2021

SDS Staff

Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.