Justin Barkley

Justin Barkley was named the head men's basketball coach at Rogers State University on April 28, 2010.
 

Barkley, who served as the Hillcats’ assistant coach the previous two seasons, is the third head coach in the brief history of the program.  

“This is an opportunity I’ve always dreamed about,” Barkley said at the time of his hiring. “I’m ecstatic to be the head coach at Rogers State, but I know that there is no time to celebrate because there’s a lot of work to be done if we are to continue the tradition of success already in place here.”
 

Barkley helped guide the Hillcats to a 52-13 record over the past two years as an assistant. The Hillcats claimed the school’s first Sooner Athletic Conference championship, reached the NAIA National Tournament and achieved a No. 1 national ranking in 2008-09. RSU notched its third straight 20-win season and reached the finals of SAC Postseason Tournament for the second straight year in 2009-10. 
 

“We are excited to start a new chapter in Hillcat basketball,” said RSU Athletic Director Wren Baker. “Justin Barkley is the perfect fit to lead us into the future. He is a knowledgeable coach, proven recruiter and hard worker. Most of all he will be a good role model and leader of men.”

Barkley began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for Coach Larry Gipson at Northeastern State University following a storied playing career. He later spent two seasons as an assistant at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, where he helped the Norsemen to a 27-9 record and their first national tournament appearance in 16 years.

Barkley left NEO to return home to the community where his father, Clyde, made the family name synonymous with basketball as the dean of Rogers County hoops for the past three decades. As a player, Justin Barkley led Inola High School to a state championship under the direction of his father in 1998. He continued his playing career at NSU, where he spurred the Redmen to a Division II National Championship in 2003.
 

Since arriving on the Hill Barkley has also assumed teaching duties in RSU’s Sport Management program. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Masters Degree in Health and Kinesiology.