Mars Hill University has named longtime assistant Kevin Barnette as its new head football coach, the school announced Tuesday afternoon. Barnette, the Lions’ defensive coordinator and assistant head coach, succeeds Tim Clifton, who retired earlier this week after more than three decades of leading the program.
Barnette is the senior member of the Lions’ coaching staff, having served at his alma mater for 32 years. A former standout defensive back for Mars Hill, he was twice named All-South Atlantic Conference and earned NAIA second-team All-America honors in 1984. He still holds the program record for most interceptions in a game (three) and previously held the single-season mark with eight.
Following graduation, Barnette began his coaching career at Asheville Junior High before stops at Wingate University and Forest Hills High School. He returned to Mars Hill in 1988 as defensive backs coach and was promoted to defensive coordinator the following season, a role he has held ever since.
A member of the university’s physical education faculty, Barnette holds a master’s degree in sports science from the United States Sports Academy. He and his wife, the former Recy Coleman, have three children — Elisha, Nehemiah, and Anna — and reside in Mars Hill.
The Lions will kick off their season on Saturday, Sept. 6 at home against Winston-Salem State. Mars Hill will play seven home games this fall.
