Princeton University Athletics
Barron Named Women's Basketball Coach
September 20, 2001 | General
Richard Barron, who inherited a program that had not had a winning record in a decade and led it to a conference championship and national ranking within five years, was named head women's basketball coach at Princeton on May 9. Richard Barron, who inheri
Richard Barron, who inherited a program that had not had a winning record in a decade and led it to a conference championship and national ranking within five years, was named head women's basketball coach at Princeton on May 9.
Barron comes to Princeton from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., where he had a 77-48 record in five years. In 2000-01 his team went 18-7, won the first conference championship in school history and was ranked as high as 12th nationally in Division III. His last three teams had the three highest single-season win totals in school history, including a record 20 wins in 1999-2000.
"We're absolutely delighted to identify a coach with such an outstanding academic and coaching background," says director of athletics Gary Walters. "Richard has a proven record of success. Most importantly, he will be able to bring together different constituencies on campus in support of the women's basketball program."
Barron, 32, took over at the University of the South (also know as Sewanee) in 1996 and immediately led the Tigers to their first winning season in 10 years. Prior to that he had served as an assistant coach with the men's team at Sewanee for four years. He is a 1991 graduate of Kenyon.
"There is a great deal of pride at Princeton University," Barron says. "It's tangible. You see it when you're there. Princeton means excellence, and there is every expectation for excellence in the women's basketball program as well. I was very impressed with Gary Walters' vision for athletics at Princeton. I look forward to working with him, the other members of the Athletic Department and especially the brightest, most talented student-athletes in the country."