Barnes replaces David Nicholson, who resigned in May after less than two months with the Scorpions. Marcus Young coached the Scorpions during the 2007 season.

"I am excited to have John join in on the growth and development of our athletic program," Director of Athletics Dan Huntley said.  "John has been around our program for several years and has proven himself to be a respected coach by the players he has coached.  I am confident John will provide some stability to our program and will be able to continue the success that our volleyball program has seen in recent years."

Barnes takes over a program that has been very successful since joining the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in 2006. In two seasons, the Scorpions have won 63 matches and lost only 21.

The Scorpions will be returning six players to the 2008 team, including second team NAIA All-American Talita Milasauskas and all-Red River Athletic Conference first team selection Katie Japp.

In 2007, the Scorpions won the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament and the NAIA Region VI Tournament, advancing to the NAIA National Women's Volleyball Championships. The Scorpions advanced to the quarterfinals, where they lost to eventual national champion Fresno Pacific (Calif.). Despite a #18 ranking in the final NAIA poll at the end of the regular season, UTB/TSC finished the season with a 36-9 record and tied for fifth in the nation.

In 2006 under Coach Bruce Atkinson, the Scorpions finished with a 27-12 overall record and 11-1 mark in the RRAC. UTB/TSC advanced to the NAIA Region VI semifinals that season.

As members of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) prior to joining the NAIA, the Scorpions advanced to the national tournament in 1988, 1991, 1995, 1998 and 2004.

Barnes comes to UTB/TSC after four years as head girls' volleyball coach at Port Isabel, where he also taught physics.

He is a familiar face around the Manuel Garza B. Gymnasium. Barnes previously served as a volunteer assistant coach with the Scorpions in the 2004 and 2005 seasons. In 2004, the Scorpions, who were competing in junior college athletics, advanced to the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament. The Scorpions finished ninth in the country that year.

The highlight of Barnes' career at Port Isabel was the 2005 season, when the Tarpons won the District 32-AAA championship and he was chosen Coach of the Year. The Tarpons also advanced to the Class 3A state playoffs in 2007. In four seasons with the Tarpons, his overall record was 52-56.

Barnes holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Texas. He also holds a Certificate in Meteorology from Community College of the Air Force.

Barnes' first order of business will be to recruit players to fill the roster for the 2008 season. He plans to hold an open tryout in the coming weeks for players interested in joining the team in the fall.

Barnes said he also plans to host a summer volleyball camp for youth sometime in June or July.