Zane Barnes enters his 4th season as assistant men’s soccer coach at Winthrop University. In January of 2025 he was promoted to Associate head men's soccer coach.
Barnes came to Rock Hill after spending the previous two seasons as the Head Men’s and Women’s Soccer Coach at Northeast Texas Community College.
At NTCC, he helped both programs to significant improvement in his two seasons and also instrumental in developing players to the next level.
He served as the Head Girls Coach at Atascocita High School from 2017-2020 prior to NTCC. He left Atascocita with an overall record of 54-8-11 and a trip to the Regional Tournament, the program's second.
Coach Barnes also served as the Assistant Men’s Coach for the Brazos Valley Cavalry FC which competes in USL League 2, a development league for players globally.
Prior to Atascocita, Barnes spent 2015-17 as the Head Girls Coach at Pine Tree High School, in Longview, Texas.
Barnes also brings prior college coaching experience. He served as the Assistant Coach to both the Men’s and Women’s teams for two seasons at his alma mater, East Texas Baptist University from 2013-2015.
He has also been involved in the youth game on both the boys and girls sides. He has had stints at FC Dallas, Dallas Texans, and Challenge Soccer Club. He is currently serving as the 03 Boys Head Coach of the South Texas Olympic Development Program.
Barnes played his collegiate career at East Texas Baptist University (2006-2010). During that time, he was a 4-year starter in goal for the Tigers, gaining two All-ASC selections and ending his career 2nd All-time in saves.
A native of Lufkin, Texas, Barnes received his Bachelor of Science degree from ETBU in 2010 and went on to earn his MBA in Sports Management and Administration from University of the Southwest (2015). He holds a USSF National “B” License and NSCAA Goalkeeper 1, 2, and 3 Licenses. He is currently enrolled in the US Soccer Coaching Instructor Course. Barnes is joined with his wife Katie, and their dogs, Kallie and Dexter.
