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McCracken Girls Hoops Coach Barnett Steps Down

McCracken Girls Hoops Coach Barnett Steps Down
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By West Kentucky Star Staff
Apr. 24, 2015 | PADUCAH, KY
By West Kentucky Star Staff Apr. 24, 2015 | 05:52 AM | PADUCAH, KY
McCracken County girls’ basketball coach Josh Barnett is stepping down from his position after leading the Lady Mustangs' first two seasons. The voice of the Mustangs, Eric Chumbler with 99.5FM The Fan, reported Friday that Barnett resigned from his position Thursday morning.

Barnett was hired as the girls varsity basketball coach at Lone Oak High School in 2011 before being named to the same position at McCracken County in its inaugural season in 2013.

“This job was an opportunity that I’m very grateful that Principal Michael Ceglinski and Activities Director Kris Garrett gave to me,” Barnett said. “It was challenging, but something that I think I grew from personally. The group of girls I had was exceptional as was my coaching staff.”

Barnett went 25-38 in two seasons at McCracken County and 43-24 in two seasons at Lone Oak High School. His overall coaching record was 172-131 in ten seasons. In Barnett’s first season at Lone Oak in 2011-2012, Barnett led the Lady Flash to a 20-win season and a trip to the First Region Semifinals before losing to eventual champion, Marshall County. In 2014, Barnett led the Lady Mustangs to the First Region Semifinals before losing to Murray High.

“This was a decision I made with a great deal of thought,” Barnett said. “It was no force out, no ill-will, it was just time. I enjoyed every minute of it and am completely grateful for the opportunity.”

When asked about his favorite thing about being at McCracken County and Lone Oak, Barnett’s answer was quick. “The relationships that I’ve built with my players and coaching staff,” Barnett said. “I’ve had the best kids and coaches. I’ve been blessed to have a great group of both.”

Barnett won the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches “Coach of the Year” award two different seasons, 2007 and 2009. That was one of several reasons that led McCracken Activities Director Kris Garrett to hire Barnett.

“He had prior success and always worked hard and was very professional,” Garrett said. “He did a great job leading his team in a professional manner and we appreciate everything Coach Barnett did to get this girls basketball program started.”

When asked if this was the last coaching job he’d have, Barnett thought it could be.

“I think that right now is the perfect time to bow out and right now, it seems like it’s a definitive decision,” Barnett said. “I want to spend more time with my wife and my three kids and this will allow me to do just that.”

Barnett will stay on as an AP Government teacher at McCracken County High School.

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