Josh Barnes began as head coach of the softball team on August 1, 2022.

In his first season leading the Crowder College Softball Program, the Roughriders earned a 45-16 record, finishing as Region 16 Tournament Champions. The Roughriders hosted the Midwest District Championship where the Roughriders fell in the third game of the best 2 of 3 series.

Barnes comes to Crowder College from Angelina College (NJCAA D1) in Texas. Barnes coached at Angelina College from 2019-2022.  This past season, he led the restart of the Angelina College softball program after the college suspended sports for the 2020-2021 school year. With a team of mostly 19 true freshmen and 2 sophomores, the Roadrunners went 38-16, finishing 2nd in Region 14 South Conference. Prior to his time at Angelina College, Barnes coached three seasons at McCook Community College (NJCAA D1) in Nebraska from 2016-2019 where his team finished Runner-Up in the Region 9 (NJCAA D1) Tournament. Josh comes to Crowder College with a coaching record of 132-124-1.

Josh grew up in Northeast Kansas on his family’s cattle ranch. His wife, Lani, grew up in Weston, Missouri. Making the move to Crowder College brings their family back to the Midwest. “I could not be more excited, not only for myself professionally as Crowder College Softball has been one of the top teams in the nation, but for the opportunity to raise my kids in a great community, close to grandparents, aunt, uncles, and cousins.” Barnes had this to say about Roughrider Softball, “I cannot wait to get to work with this group of players! I am excited about the opportunity to continue establishing Crowder Softball as the top team not only in the Midwest, but nationally.”

Barnes prepped at the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, KS, playing baseball from 2008-2011, earning an NAIA Rawlings Gold Glove in 2011. He graduated with his Elementary Education degree from USM, teaching at USD 207 Fort Leavenworth as a 5th grade teacher from 2012-2016. Barnes continued his education at the University of Central Missouri, earning a Master’s in Sports Management in 2018. Lani also competed athletically at the University of Saint Mary as a four-year starter on the softball team from 2010-2013, earning her degree in Accounting.

Josh and his wife, Lani, are looking forward to raising their children, son Jordy, age 5, and daughter Charli, age 2, in the Neosho community!

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