Jackson, Tenn. – Lane College Athletics is proud to announce the hiring of Patrick Barbour as the new head coach of the Dragons softball program. Barbour makes the transition to softball after an accomplished 17-year career coaching collegiate baseball, where he built a reputation as one of the nation's top recruiters and pitching coaches.
Barbour brings a wealth of experience to the Dragons. He was the pitching coach at Albany State University in 2015 when the Golden Rams captured the SIAC Championship and earned their second-ever appearance in the NCAA South Regional. That season, five Golden Rams received All-Conference accolades, with two players garnering NCAA South Regional recognition.
He has served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the NCAA Division II level and held head coaching roles at both the NAIA and high school levels. In 2020, he was named HBCU Coach of the Year by Black College Nines after leading the Lane College baseball program to a HBCU national baseball championship.
A graduate of Kentucky State University with a B.A. in Liberal Studies, Barbour also holds a Master of Arts in Teaching with an emphasis in Educational Technology from National University in San Diego, California. Beyond the diamond, he has contributed to higher education as an Instructional Designer in the Office of Academic Online Instruction at Albany State University.
"We are excited to welcome Coach Barbour to Lane College softball," said Interim Athletic Director Roger Ogden. "His proven success in the SIAC as a recruiter and developer of talent, coupled with his championship experience, will bring new energy and direction to our program. We believe his leadership will help elevate Dragons softball to new heights."
Barbour expressed his enthusiasm about the opportunity:
"I am honored to rejoin Lane College as the head softball coach," Barbour said. "This is an exciting challenge, and I look forward to building a culture of hard work, discipline, and success for our student-athletes both on and off the field."
