Dawn Barnes enters her first season as the head women's volleyball coach at Phoenix College.
Dawn Barnes comes to Phoenix College after serving as head coach at South Carolina State University during the years 2020-2022. Prior to that she was the head coach at Malcolm X Junior College.
She spent three seasons at Chicago State University (CSU), on the Cougars' coaching staff, where Barnes served as the interim head coach for CSU in 2014 and won their first home tournament in the program's Division I history , while producing 10 Academic All-WAC selections.
Before arriving at Chicago State, Barnes was a volunteer assistant coach at George Mason in 2012. She assisted the Patriots with coaching and game planning. Prior to George Mason, Barnes was the head coach at Howard University for two seasons. She coached three all-MEAC selections and five All-Academic selections and developed the Howard Volleyball Camps.
Barnes served as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Pittsburgh in 2009. She helped the Panthers to a 20-11 overall mark, including a school-record 12 wins in BIG EAST conference play. While at Pitt, she coached the BIG EAST Player of the Year, Libero of the Year and Scholar Athlete of the Year. She was responsible for technical team practice coordination and match preparation. Barnes also has collegiate coaching experience at Vassar, Eastern Kentucky, and Augustana College.
Barnes is also active with the USA High Performance tryouts, developmental camps and clinics at various locations throughout the nation. She has previously worked camps at Butler and Purdue Universities.
Barnes has extensive experience with several volleyball clubs, having spent three seasons coaching with Michio Chicago Volleyball Academy. She served as the director of recruiting at the NVVA Club in Sterling, Va., and the Metro American, Select and Pittsburgh Elite volleyball clubs and is a Member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).
Barnes recently graduated WeCoach Academy in May 2023 receiving the highest honor, the WCA Class #51 Impact Award.
"I am thankful to Kristine Kincaid, Director of Athletics, for giving me this opportunity to join the Bears Family, "said Barnes. "I am excited to put the pieces together! We have the talent to compete, win and have fun".
Barnes is excited to be close to her brother and family here in the Valley. She drove over 2,000 miles from South Carolina with her dog Bella to join the Phoenix College family.
