MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2006 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Robertson, Mettetal, Browning, Butler, Dearing, Frazier, Gordon, Harden, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Kirby, Little, Michel, Posey, Thomas, Tollison, Walls, White, Wilemon

Senate Concurrent Resolution 626

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE POSITIVE COACHING CAREER OF OLE MISS BASKETBALL COACH ROD BARNES.

     WHEREAS, University of Mississippi Athletics Director Pete Boone has announced that Ole Miss Boys Basketball Head Coach Rod Barnes will step down at the end of the 2005-2006 season; and

     WHEREAS, Barnes has served in his present position for the last eight years; and

     WHEREAS, Rod Barnes has been a very positive and important part of Ole Miss basketball history throughout his playing and coaching career.  He has always represented the University with the utmost class and integrity; and

     WHEREAS, during his eight years at the helm of the Rebel Basketball Program, Barnes has risen to second on the Ole Miss career list for coaching victories, four behind B.L. "Country" Graham's school record of 145.  The 2001 Naismith and CollegeInsider.com National Coach of the Year, Barnes has a 141-107 record as Rebel Head Coach and a 50-77 mark in SEC play.  His .569 overall winning percentage is the highest by an Ole Miss Coach since 1938, and the best of any Rebel mentor of seven-plus years; and

     WHEREAS, in 2000-2001, Barnes guided Ole Miss to a school-record 27 wins, the program's first NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 berth and a No. 9 final national ranking.  Another winning season and postseason tournament followed in 2001-2002, both were the fourth under Barnes; and

     WHEREAS, a 1988 graduate of Ole Miss, Rod Barnes served as an Assistant Coach under Rob Evans from 1993-1998 before being named Head Coach of the Rebels on April 9, 1998.  Barnes played at Ole Miss from 1985-1988 and was an honorable mention All-American selection his Senior season.  He is the only person in SEC history to earn both All-SEC and SEC Coach of the Year honors; and

     WHEREAS, as a player, Assistant Coach and Head Coach, Barnes has spent 17 seasons with Ole Miss basketball; and

     WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the spirit and accomplishments of this outstanding Coach who is a role model for many young athletes and who has brought honor to his university, community and to the State of Mississippi:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the positive coaching career of Ole Miss Boys Basketball Head Coach Rod Barnes, who is second on the Ole Miss career list for coaching victories, thank him for representing the University and State of Mississippi with class and integrity, and extend to him and his family our best wishes for his future successes.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Rod Barnes, be forwarded to Chancellor Robert Khayat, and be made available to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the Capitol Press Corps.