Barrett Barnes Hired as Softball Assistant Coach

HOUSTON – Barrett Barnes has been hired as the newest assistant coach for the University of Houston Softball team, Head Coach Kristin Vesely announced Tuesday. Barnes fills the vacant third assistant role the NCAA permitted last summer.

"I just want to say thank you to the staff first and foremost for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this amazing program," Barnes said. "It's an absolute pleasure to work alongside these three incredible women who have all impacted the game in their own amazing ways. I strive to be able to help these young student-athletes become not only better softball players, but to be the best versions of themselves and to represent not only this university but their families in the best way possible."

Barnes joins the Cougars following 10 years of playing professional baseball and eight years of coaching club baseball and softball.

"Bringing on another professional athlete who understands what it takes to be successful is a huge addition for us," Vesely said. "Barrett's level of knowledge and experience paired with his passion to develop our players is going to help improve the program in all facets of the game. He will have an immediate impact on the team and we are ecstatic to have a full coaching staff under the new NCAA rules."

A long-time native of the Houston Metropolitan Area, Barnes spent time as an outfielder in the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets organizations during his professional career. Barnes owned a .266/.362/.422 slash across seven seasons in Minor League Baseball with an additional two seasons with the Sugar Land Skeeters and Sugar Land Lightning Sloths, both independent teams.

During and following his playing career, he also coached 18U travel softball, as well as private instruction for baseball and softball players, among other athletes.

Barnes started his athletic journey at Texas Tech, graduating in 2012 with a business degree after an extensive career with the Red Raiders. He was a three-time All-Big 12 selection while also picking up 58 individual awards throughout his three-year career in Lubbock.

In college, Barnes hit .319 with 171 runs, 51 doubles, 33 homers and 140 RBIs. He was taken in the supplemental first round at 45^thoverall of the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, becoming the third highest selection in Texas Tech Baseball history.

Barnes becomes the latest professional player to join the Houston Softball coaching staff. The Cougars staff is the only staff in the Big 12 whose coaches all have professional playing experience. In addition to Barnes, Assistant Coaches Hope Trautwein and Nadia Taylor currently play professional softball with Athletes Unlimited while Vesely played pro softball with the now-defunct National Pro Fastpitch from 2006-2007.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Softball by supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective – and by joining the Diamond Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Softball for needs beyond its operating budget.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Softball. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarSB.

− UHCougars.com –

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

Barrett Barnes Hired as Softball Assistant Coach

Related Videos