Aug. 11, 2025 – Rust College Athletics is ushering in a new era both on and off the court, announcing the hiring of Barry Wellington as the new head men’s basketball coach and the long-awaited relaunch of the Rust College Athletics Hall of Fame.
Wellington joins the Bearcats from Arizona Christian University, where he served as defensive coordinator during the 2024–2025 season, helping guide the program to an impressive 30–5 record. His coaching résumé includes stints at NCAA Division II schools Lane College and Christian Brothers University, NAIA powerhouse University of the Cumberlands, Menlo College, and Lamar State College Port Arthur.
As a player, Wellington earned All-American honors at Mountain State University and was a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year at Treadwell High School in Memphis, Tennessee. He earned his bachelor’s degree in applied arts and sciences from Lamar University in 2017.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Barry Wellington to the Bearcat family,” said Jeremy Patterson, Rust College’s Director of Athletics. “His energy, experience, and defensive mindset will serve our student-athletes well and elevate the competitiveness of our men’s basketball program.”
New Rust College basketball coach Barry Wellington.
In addition to the coaching hire, Patterson announced the return of the Rust College Athletics Hall of Fame, a marquee event that will once again be part of the college’s Founders Week. The Hall of Fame has been inactive since the last class was inducted in 2009.
“This relaunch is about more than just honoring great teams and individuals. It’s about enshrining the rich history of Rust College Athletics, celebrating our legacy, and reuniting the Rust College family,” Patterson said. “By recognizing the legends of our past, we inspire future generations to carry on the tradition of greatness.”
Rust College’s proud athletic history includes the 1977 NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship, the 1984 NAIA Women’s Basketball National Championship, three consecutive GCAC Women’s Basketball Tournament titles from 2022 to 2024, and the 2023 GCAC Baseball Regular Season Championship.
Nominations for the new Hall of Fame class are open through Sept. 22. Details and nomination forms are available at www.rustathletics.com under the Inside Athletics tab.
SCOREBOARD
Monday, Aug. 11
Prep volleyball
DeSoto Central 3, Center Hill 2 (25-20, 22-25, 25-12, 25-17, 15-8)
Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates and high school football play-by-play on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.
