Clarksville, Ark. – Ben Barnes has been promoted to head softball coach at University of the Ozarks, the school announced.
Barnes replaces David Kuhn, who accepted a job at Northwest Mississippi Community College. Barnes has served as the volunteer assistant coach at Ozarks since July. Barnes has extensive coaching experience at the collegiate and high school levels as well as coaching a dominant summer travel team. As the head coach of the Sixers 2K5 out of Mississippi, Barnes led them to three world series championships finals, winning back-to-back titles during an impressive run. His program produced 32 collegiate players during his eight years as head coach.
As an assistant at Diberville High School in Mississippi, Barnes helped turn the program from a winless team into a playoff program. Barnes was part of a staff that was awarded the Harrison County (Miss.) Coach of the Year award. Additionally, Barnes served as a camp instructor at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
"I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead the softball program at the University of the Ozarks," said Barnes. "This is a special place, and I'm excited about the direction this program is heading. What makes this opportunity even more special is the education our student-athletes receive here. Ozarks provides a great combination of academics, athletics and a close-knit community. I'm proud to be a part of this university and can't wait to get to work."
Barnes takes over a program that became one of the hottest softball teams in the NCAA late last season as the Eagles won eight of their final ten games and posted a magical run in the conference tournament advancing all the way to the finals.
"There is a lot of momentum surrounding Ozarks softball after coming off the most successful season in school history," he said. "I'm excited to build on that success and to continue to give our student-athletes an opportunity to grow and compete at a high level. And to be able to coach at a top-notch facility is a blessing."
The Eagles are coming off a record-setting season that saw the 2026 team advance to the Conference Championship game and set nearly every pitching and offensive single season team record. Five players were named All-Conference and 17 players earned a spot on the Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete Team.
Barnes earned his master's degree in special education from William Carey University in 2018. He recieved his bachelor's degree from University of Southern Mississippi.
