Ohio Valley Conference

EIU Sports Information

Barry Stevens

Eastern Illinois University head men’s basketball coach Rick Samuels announced the hiring of Barry Stevens as assistant coach. He replaces Jack Owens, who resigned last month.

Stevens is a former Iowa State University standout making his collegiate coaching debut after 17 years playing and coaching professionally. He finished his four-year career with 2,190 points (18.7 career ppg) and 544 rebounds (4.6 rpg), currently number two and 21st, respectively, among the ISU all-time leaders.

The two-time First Team All-Big 8 Conference selection led Iowa State to a 1985 NCAA Tournament at-large bid, its first NCAA appearance in 40 years. Stevens was a second round draft pick by the Denver Nuggets in the ’85 NBA draft.

Stevens spent a year as a scout for the Great Lakes Storm of the Continental Basketball Association. Since 1998 he founded and has coached in the Flintzone Pro/Am League, organizing 12 teams throughout Michigan consisting of college and pro players.

He worked two years (1999-2001) back in his hometown of Flint, Michigan, as head coach and general manager for its new CBA franchise. He spent one season (2001-02) as head coach/director of basketball operations for the CBA Gary Steelheads then returned to the CBA Flint franchise last year as an assistant coach. Stevens received the CBA ‘Coach of the Month’ award in March 2002.

For 12 years Stevens played professional ball, spending time between the CBA and overseas (Argentina, Slovenia, Venezuela, Philippines, Belgium). He participated in the 1990 CBA All-Star game and won the 3-point shooting contest. As a player and assistant coach he led the 1997 Club Racing (Buenos Aires) squad to the playoffs in its first year of existence. Part of the 1992-93 season he signed on with the Golden State Warriors, joining former Cyclone greats Jeff Grayer and Victor Alexander.

After losing his entire starting backcourt to graduation, Samuels thinks Stevens’ presence and background knowledge will immediately help in developing Eastern’s crop of young guards.

“I certainly liked his basketball background. Barry was an All-Big 8 performer, drafted in the NBA and played extensively in the CBA and overseas. He will bring a wealth of different basketball styles to our program,” stated Samuels. “I think he will have an impact on our young perimeter players, they will respect what he has to say based on what he accomplished as a player.

“Another thing I liked was the areas he could help in recruiting. Flint is a hotbed of basketball talent. During his pro career he made his residence in northwest Indiana (where his wife is from) and got to know some people in that area as well. Barry is excited to join our program and start recruiting. He’s a personable guy and has good contacts with coaches in Indiana and Michigan.”

Stevens, eager to begin his college coaching career under Samuels, believes his CBA background will benefit a young Panther squad.

“I’m excited to come work for Coach Samuels. In the basketball world you hear nothing but great things about him. At this level, to find someone great to work for is a blessing and I am excited about that,” said Stevens. “Part of my responsibility is working with the backcourt. That is my background coming from the CBA, known as a developmental league, to work with, hone in and develop those skills. I look forward to a fresh crop (of guards) coming in that needs developing.”