Men's Basketball
Barbee, Tony
Tony Barbee
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Year at CMU:
- 4th year at CMU
- Hometown:
- Indianapolis, Ind.
- Alma Mater/Year:
- Massachusetts/1993
- Experience:
- 12th year as a Head Coach/29th year
Follow on Twitter - @CoachTonyBarbee
Tony Barbee was named the head men's basketball coach at Central Michigan University on April 23, 2021. He completed his fourth season at Central Michigan in 2024-25.
Barbee, the 21st men's basketball coach in CMU history, has laid a foundation of sacrifice, accountability, respect, communication, winning, and a family environment. The CMU men’s basketball program is headed in the right direction after Barbee and the Chippewas challenged for a Mid-American Conference title and finished in fourth place with a 12-6 league record in 2023-24. CMU’s 12 league victories were the most since the 2014-15 season. In the offseason, Barbee rebuilt CMU’s roster with only four players returning as he added 12 new players and blended them into a team that challenged for the league title. In the preseason coaches’ poll, CMU was picked to finish in 12th place out of 12 teams. For his efforts, he was named Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year and NABC District 14 Coach of the Year.
A two-time league coach of the year honoree, Barbee arrived at CMU from Kentucky where he spent seven seasons as a member of Hall of Fame coach John Calipari's staff. Barbee's career includes head coaching experience at Central Michigan, Auburn, and UTEP. At UTEP, he was named the Conference USA Coach of the Year after leading the Miners to a conference regular-season title and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2010.
During his tenure at Kentucky, Barbee served in three roles: associate to the head coach (2020-21), assistant coach (2015-20) and special assistant to the head coach (2014-15). He helped Kentucky win four Southeastern Conference regular-season championships and four SEC Tournament titles, and the Wildcats made five NCAA Tournament appearances including a Final Four berth in 2015.
Barbee also helped the Wildcats secure a top-three nationally ranked recruiting class every season he was with the program, including the nation's top class in 2016, 2017 and 2020. He coached 13 NBA Draft selections at Kentucky, including 10 first-round picks and eight players taken in the lottery.
Barbee's four-year tenure as the head coach at UTEP saw the Miners increase their win total each season and average 20.5 victories per year. In 2009-10, UTEP finished 26-7, including 15-1 in C-USA play, winning their first regular-season league title in six years and earning an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament.
Barbee played for Calipari from 1989-93 at Massachusetts, where he was part of teams that won back-to-back Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament championships in 1992 and 1993. The Minutemen earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament both years and advanced to the Sweet 16 in 1992. Barbee earned All-Atlantic 10 second team honors in 1991 and 1993 and was an all-conference freshman team selection in 1990. UMass went 91-39 during his time with the program. He was inducted into the UMass Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013.
Barbee also had coaching stints at Massachusetts, Wyoming and Memphis before becoming a head coach. He began as a graduate assistant at UMass (1995-98) before landing his first assistant job at Wyoming in 1998-99. He returned to UMass for one year and then went to Memphis, where he coached from 2001-06.
During Barbee's six seasons in Memphis, the Tigers won 148 games, two C-USA titles and made three trips to the NCAA Tournament including an Elite Eight appearance in 2006. Memphis boasted six consecutive top-10 nationally ranked recruiting classes; the 2001 class was ranked No. 1 in the country.
The Indianapolis native earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in sports management and a minor in African-American studies from UMass in 1993. He played professionally in Spain and France before turning to coaching.
Barbee and his wife, Holly, have a daughter, Hayden Alexandra, and a son, Andrew Marsh.
THE BARBEE FILE
Date announced as CMU Head Coach: April 23, 2021
Birthdate: August 10, 1971
Hometown: Indianapolis, Ind.
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Sports Management, University of Massachusetts, 1993
Family
Wife Holly; daughter Hayden Alexandra, son Andrew Marsh
Coaching Career
Head Coach, Central Michigan University, 2021-current
Associate Head Coach, University of Kentucky, 2020-21
Assistant Coach, University of Kentucky, 2015-20
Special Assistant to the Head Coach, University of Kentucky, 2014-15
Head Coach, Auburn University, 2010-14
Head Coach, University of Texas El Paso, 2006-10
Assistant Coach, University of Memphis, 2001-06
Assistant Coach, University of Massachusetts, 1999-00
Assistant Coach, University of Wyoming, 1998-99
Assistant Coach, University of Massachusetts, 1996-98
Graduate Assistant, University of Massachusetts, 1995-96
Championships/Honors/Awards
Guided UTEP to the Conference-USA regular season title and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2010 … 2010 Conference USA Coach of the Year … 2024 Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year … 2024 NABC District 14 Coach of the Year.
Playing Career
Earned four letters at Massachusetts (1989-93) … inducted into the UMass Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013 … helped lead the Minutemen to back-to-back Atlantic-10 regular season and tournament titles in 1992 and 1993, two NCAA Tournaments, and two NIT appearances … Second Team All-Atlantic-10 honoree (1991 and 1993) … Atlantic-10 All-Freshman team selection in 1990 … guided UMass to a 91-39 four-year record during his tenure … played professionally in Spain and France.
YEAR-BY-YEAR WITH TONY BARBEE
WHAT THEY’VE SAID ABOUT TONY BARBEE
“Tony is one of the best coaches I have ever coached with or against. 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.”
-John Calipari, Kentucky Head Coach
“Excited for Tony Barbee to be taking over the reins as the new head coach of the CMU men’s basketball program. Tony is an outstanding coach and will do great things at CMU. I know first-hand how successful that program can be and still have a lot of pride in my time as a CMU Chippewa. I can’t wait to watch Tony’s squad in action this fall. Fire Up Chips!
-Dan Majerle, Central Michigan Hall of Famer
“Congratulations to Tony for his new opportunity at Central Michigan. Tony’s extensive experience and knowledge of the game, along with his proven track record of player development, make him well-suited for this position. I am thankful for his contributions to UK, as he has played a role in some of the most exciting moments in our history and wish him the best in his new role.”
-Mitch Barnhart, Kentucky Athletics Director
Tony Barbee was named the head men's basketball coach at Central Michigan University on April 23, 2021. He completed his fourth season at Central Michigan in 2024-25.
Barbee, the 21st men's basketball coach in CMU history, has laid a foundation of sacrifice, accountability, respect, communication, winning, and a family environment. The CMU men’s basketball program is headed in the right direction after Barbee and the Chippewas challenged for a Mid-American Conference title and finished in fourth place with a 12-6 league record in 2023-24. CMU’s 12 league victories were the most since the 2014-15 season. In the offseason, Barbee rebuilt CMU’s roster with only four players returning as he added 12 new players and blended them into a team that challenged for the league title. In the preseason coaches’ poll, CMU was picked to finish in 12th place out of 12 teams. For his efforts, he was named Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year and NABC District 14 Coach of the Year.
A two-time league coach of the year honoree, Barbee arrived at CMU from Kentucky where he spent seven seasons as a member of Hall of Fame coach John Calipari's staff. Barbee's career includes head coaching experience at Central Michigan, Auburn, and UTEP. At UTEP, he was named the Conference USA Coach of the Year after leading the Miners to a conference regular-season title and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2010.
During his tenure at Kentucky, Barbee served in three roles: associate to the head coach (2020-21), assistant coach (2015-20) and special assistant to the head coach (2014-15). He helped Kentucky win four Southeastern Conference regular-season championships and four SEC Tournament titles, and the Wildcats made five NCAA Tournament appearances including a Final Four berth in 2015.
Barbee also helped the Wildcats secure a top-three nationally ranked recruiting class every season he was with the program, including the nation's top class in 2016, 2017 and 2020. He coached 13 NBA Draft selections at Kentucky, including 10 first-round picks and eight players taken in the lottery.
Barbee's four-year tenure as the head coach at UTEP saw the Miners increase their win total each season and average 20.5 victories per year. In 2009-10, UTEP finished 26-7, including 15-1 in C-USA play, winning their first regular-season league title in six years and earning an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament.
Barbee played for Calipari from 1989-93 at Massachusetts, where he was part of teams that won back-to-back Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament championships in 1992 and 1993. The Minutemen earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament both years and advanced to the Sweet 16 in 1992. Barbee earned All-Atlantic 10 second team honors in 1991 and 1993 and was an all-conference freshman team selection in 1990. UMass went 91-39 during his time with the program. He was inducted into the UMass Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013.
Barbee also had coaching stints at Massachusetts, Wyoming and Memphis before becoming a head coach. He began as a graduate assistant at UMass (1995-98) before landing his first assistant job at Wyoming in 1998-99. He returned to UMass for one year and then went to Memphis, where he coached from 2001-06.
During Barbee's six seasons in Memphis, the Tigers won 148 games, two C-USA titles and made three trips to the NCAA Tournament including an Elite Eight appearance in 2006. Memphis boasted six consecutive top-10 nationally ranked recruiting classes; the 2001 class was ranked No. 1 in the country.
The Indianapolis native earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in sports management and a minor in African-American studies from UMass in 1993. He played professionally in Spain and France before turning to coaching.
Barbee and his wife, Holly, have a daughter, Hayden Alexandra, and a son, Andrew Marsh.
THE BARBEE FILE
Date announced as CMU Head Coach: April 23, 2021
Birthdate: August 10, 1971
Hometown: Indianapolis, Ind.
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Sports Management, University of Massachusetts, 1993
Family
Wife Holly; daughter Hayden Alexandra, son Andrew Marsh
Coaching Career
Head Coach, Central Michigan University, 2021-current
Associate Head Coach, University of Kentucky, 2020-21
Assistant Coach, University of Kentucky, 2015-20
Special Assistant to the Head Coach, University of Kentucky, 2014-15
Head Coach, Auburn University, 2010-14
Head Coach, University of Texas El Paso, 2006-10
Assistant Coach, University of Memphis, 2001-06
Assistant Coach, University of Massachusetts, 1999-00
Assistant Coach, University of Wyoming, 1998-99
Assistant Coach, University of Massachusetts, 1996-98
Graduate Assistant, University of Massachusetts, 1995-96
Championships/Honors/Awards
Guided UTEP to the Conference-USA regular season title and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2010 … 2010 Conference USA Coach of the Year … 2024 Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year … 2024 NABC District 14 Coach of the Year.
Playing Career
Earned four letters at Massachusetts (1989-93) … inducted into the UMass Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013 … helped lead the Minutemen to back-to-back Atlantic-10 regular season and tournament titles in 1992 and 1993, two NCAA Tournaments, and two NIT appearances … Second Team All-Atlantic-10 honoree (1991 and 1993) … Atlantic-10 All-Freshman team selection in 1990 … guided UMass to a 91-39 four-year record during his tenure … played professionally in Spain and France.
YEAR-BY-YEAR WITH TONY BARBEE
| Year | School | Overall | Conf. | Standing | Notes |
| 2006-07 | UTEP | 14-17 | 6-10 | 10th place | -- |
| 2007-08 | UTEP | 19-14 | 8-8 | 6th place | CBI First Round |
| 2008-09 | UTEP | 23-14 | 10-6 | 4th place | CBI runner-up |
| 2009-10 | UTEP | 26-7 | 15-1 | 1st place | C-USA championship, NCAA appearance |
| Total at UTEP | 82-52 | 39-25 | -- | -- | |
| 2010-11 | Auburn | 11-20 | 4-12 | 5th place West | -- |
| 2011-12 | Auburn | 15-16 | 5-11 | T-10th place | -- |
| 2012-13 | Auburn | 9-23 | 3-15 | 14th place | -- |
| 2013-14 | Auburn | 14-16 | 6-12 | 12th place | -- |
| Total at Auburn | 49-75 | 18-50 | -- | -- | |
| 2021-22 | Central Michigan | 7-23 | 6-12 | 8th place | MAC Tournament QF Round |
| 2022-23 | Central Michigan | 10-21 | 5-13 | T-9th place | -- |
| 2023-24 | Central Michigan | 18-14 | 12-6 | 4th place | MAC Tournament QF Round |
| 2024-25 | Central Michigan | 14-17 | 7-11 | 9th place | -- |
| Total at CMU | 49-75 | 30-42 | -- | -- | |
| Career | 180-202 | -- | -- | -- |
WHAT THEY’VE SAID ABOUT TONY BARBEE
“Tony is one of the best coaches I have ever coached with or against. 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.”
-John Calipari, Kentucky Head Coach
“Excited for Tony Barbee to be taking over the reins as the new head coach of the CMU men’s basketball program. Tony is an outstanding coach and will do great things at CMU. I know first-hand how successful that program can be and still have a lot of pride in my time as a CMU Chippewa. I can’t wait to watch Tony’s squad in action this fall. Fire Up Chips!
-Dan Majerle, Central Michigan Hall of Famer
“Congratulations to Tony for his new opportunity at Central Michigan. Tony’s extensive experience and knowledge of the game, along with his proven track record of player development, make him well-suited for this position. I am thankful for his contributions to UK, as he has played a role in some of the most exciting moments in our history and wish him the best in his new role.”
-Mitch Barnhart, Kentucky Athletics Director
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