Photo by: Trevor Cokley
Keith Barnett Named Air Force Volleyball Head Coach
12/6/2018 4:50:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Barnett has helped Air Force to some of its most successful seasons at the Division I level.
USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – Keith Barnett has been named the head coach of the Air Force volleyball team, Director of Athletics Col Jen Block announced today (Dec. 6). Backed by previous head coaching experience and a standout playing career at the collegiate, national and international levels, Barnett, who has been a member of the Academy's coaching staff for the past four seasons, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the position.
"I'm very excited to have Keith take over as head coach of our volleyball program," Col Block said. "He has been a key contributor in building the program and I have the utmost confidence that he will continue that process as head coach. He has demonstrated a keen understanding of the mission of the Academy of building leaders of character for our Air Force and the nation."
A member of the Academy staff since early 2015, Barnett has been on the bench for some of Air Force's most successful seasons at the Division I level and helped the current group of seniors become the winningest class in Air Force's DI history. He has seen five Falcons earn all-conference recognition and watched the team reset nine of the program's DI records. The Falcons have accounted for double-digit win totals during every season he has been with the program and matched the program's DI records for total wins (17) and conference wins (seven, twice).
"I'd like to thank Col Jen Block and the hiring committee for the opportunity to continue to coach at Air Force," Barnett said. "Being a part of something greater than just a volleyball team makes each day so much more memorable. This team, combined with the incoming Class of 2023, has me excited for the future of Air Force Volleyball and I look forward to hitting the ground running."
This past season, as the team's associate head coach, Barnett coached the Falcons to their first winning campaign since 1999 – a 17-15 overall record that included an Academy record for wins in a season at the Division I level (17) and a program-best seven victories in conference play. Air Force earned the program's first-ever victories over schools from the ACC (Wake Forest) and Big Ten (Maryland), en route to its best non-conference record (10-4) in 19 years.
During his first three seasons with the program, Barnett helped Air Force impact in the Mountain West, as the team earned their first-ever win over Utah State (2015) and its first road victories at San Diego State (2015) and Fresno State (2017). The Falcons also snapped several long losing skids against conference opponents, including a 31-match stretch against UNLV (2015) and a 26-match skid against New Mexico.
Barnett came to the Academy after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at West Texas A&M University. During his two years on the bench, the Lady Buffs compiled a 67-9 record, which included back-to-back 16-0 conference seasons and a NCAA Division II national semifinal appearance in 2013.
Prior to his stint in Texas, Barnett spent four years as the head coach at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. While at UCCS, Barnett went 68-46 and was the second-winningest coach in program history. He was the fastest coach in school history to win 50 matches and led the Mountain Lions to at least 16 victories in all four seasons. The 10 home wins in 2011 were the second-most in school history and the 18 total victories tied for fifth in UCCS records.
Before his time at UCCS, Barnett spent two years as the head coach at Rampart High School in Colorado Springs. He led the Rams to a third-place finish in the Colorado Class 5A State Tournament in 2008, after a Sweet 16 season in 2007.
Barnett also brings a wealth of playing experience to Air Force, having had a standout career at Pepperdine University. A second-team All-American setter at Pepperdine in 2001, Barnett went on to earn a gold medal at the World University Games in Beijing later that year. In addition, he was a member of the U.S. National Team from 2001-02 and 2005-06.
Barnett's playing career not only encompassed his time at Pepperdine and with the U.S. National Team, but in overseas action as well. He played professionally in Belgium for three seasons, with stops in St. Vith, Halen and Lennik. He also spent seasons in Spain and Romania.
Barnett and his wife, Jessica, are the parents of three girls – Brooklyn, Elyse and Harper.
"I'm very excited to have Keith take over as head coach of our volleyball program," Col Block said. "He has been a key contributor in building the program and I have the utmost confidence that he will continue that process as head coach. He has demonstrated a keen understanding of the mission of the Academy of building leaders of character for our Air Force and the nation."
A member of the Academy staff since early 2015, Barnett has been on the bench for some of Air Force's most successful seasons at the Division I level and helped the current group of seniors become the winningest class in Air Force's DI history. He has seen five Falcons earn all-conference recognition and watched the team reset nine of the program's DI records. The Falcons have accounted for double-digit win totals during every season he has been with the program and matched the program's DI records for total wins (17) and conference wins (seven, twice).
"I'd like to thank Col Jen Block and the hiring committee for the opportunity to continue to coach at Air Force," Barnett said. "Being a part of something greater than just a volleyball team makes each day so much more memorable. This team, combined with the incoming Class of 2023, has me excited for the future of Air Force Volleyball and I look forward to hitting the ground running."
This past season, as the team's associate head coach, Barnett coached the Falcons to their first winning campaign since 1999 – a 17-15 overall record that included an Academy record for wins in a season at the Division I level (17) and a program-best seven victories in conference play. Air Force earned the program's first-ever victories over schools from the ACC (Wake Forest) and Big Ten (Maryland), en route to its best non-conference record (10-4) in 19 years.
During his first three seasons with the program, Barnett helped Air Force impact in the Mountain West, as the team earned their first-ever win over Utah State (2015) and its first road victories at San Diego State (2015) and Fresno State (2017). The Falcons also snapped several long losing skids against conference opponents, including a 31-match stretch against UNLV (2015) and a 26-match skid against New Mexico.
Barnett came to the Academy after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at West Texas A&M University. During his two years on the bench, the Lady Buffs compiled a 67-9 record, which included back-to-back 16-0 conference seasons and a NCAA Division II national semifinal appearance in 2013.
Prior to his stint in Texas, Barnett spent four years as the head coach at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. While at UCCS, Barnett went 68-46 and was the second-winningest coach in program history. He was the fastest coach in school history to win 50 matches and led the Mountain Lions to at least 16 victories in all four seasons. The 10 home wins in 2011 were the second-most in school history and the 18 total victories tied for fifth in UCCS records.
Before his time at UCCS, Barnett spent two years as the head coach at Rampart High School in Colorado Springs. He led the Rams to a third-place finish in the Colorado Class 5A State Tournament in 2008, after a Sweet 16 season in 2007.
Barnett also brings a wealth of playing experience to Air Force, having had a standout career at Pepperdine University. A second-team All-American setter at Pepperdine in 2001, Barnett went on to earn a gold medal at the World University Games in Beijing later that year. In addition, he was a member of the U.S. National Team from 2001-02 and 2005-06.
Barnett's playing career not only encompassed his time at Pepperdine and with the U.S. National Team, but in overseas action as well. He played professionally in Belgium for three seasons, with stops in St. Vith, Halen and Lennik. He also spent seasons in Spain and Romania.
Barnett and his wife, Jessica, are the parents of three girls – Brooklyn, Elyse and Harper.
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