Illinois State head mens basketball coach Porter Moser assembled two-thirds of his coaching staff Monday, with the hiring of former Garden City Community College assistant coach Brian Barone.
Barone, 25, is the son of Tony Barone, former head coach at Creighton, who coached Moser collegiately. Barones father is currently an assistant coach for Hubie Brown with the National Basketball Associations Memphis Grizzlies, while his brother, Tony, is the director of scouting with the Grizzlies.
Im very excited to continue my coaching career under a coach that I have respected my whole life, Barone said. Coach Moser is a major reason why I got into coaching. Im also honored to be a part of such a well-respected program at Illinois State.
Moser reciprocated the sentiments.
Brian has been involved with the coaching profession since he was probably 5 years old, Moser said. He played at Marquette under Tom Creen and spent the last two years practically living on the road recruiting. Brians knowledge is well-beyond his age and he is a future star in this business. His loyalty and hard work will be a great addition to our staff.
Barone spent one season at GCCC working under head coach Earl Diddle. The Broncbusters finished the 2002-03 season with a 16-15 record overall.
Prior to Garden City Community College, Barone served as an assistant for a year at Central Florida Community College during the 2001-02 season under former Illinois State head coach Gene Smithson. Barone helped lead the Patriots to a 21-11 record along with a Mid-Florida Conference Tournament Championship and a trip to the Region VII semifinals.
Barone played collegiately at Marquette during the 1998-2001 seasons. With the Golden Eagles, he was named team captain and selected to the Conference USA All-Academic Team. Barone spent his first two seasons at Texas A&M, playing for his father. As a sophomore, he was named Big XII Honorable Mention and received GTE Big XII Academic All-Conference Team.
The College Station, Texas native received his bachelors degree in communications from Marquette in 2000 and his masters degree, also from Marquette in communications, in 2002.
