FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rochester Community and Technical College Announces Sam Barnes as Head Women’s Basketball Coach
Rochester, Minn. — Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) is proud to announce the hiring of Sam Barnes as the new Head Coach of the Yellowjacket Women’s Basketball program. Barnes succeeds Jason Bonde, who stepped down earlier this year.
Barnes brings a proven track record of success at the high school level, along with strong ties to RCTC and the regional basketball community. Barnes most recently served as Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach at Lewiston-Altura High School, where Barnes led a remarkable program turnaround, guiding the team to its first winning record in more than 20 years.
“Sam Barnes is an outstanding addition to Yellowjacket Athletics,” said RCTC Director of Athletics Mike Lester. “Barnes demonstrates a deep commitment to student-athlete development, competitive excellence, and building a positive team culture. The future of RCTC Women’s Basketball is bright under this leadership.”
Prior to leading Lewiston-Altura, Barnes served as a junior varsity head coach and varsity assistant at Stewartville High School, compiling a 15-5 record at the junior varsity level while developing athletes for varsity competition. Barnes has also previously coached at the collegiate level as a Student Assistant Coach at RCTC, assisting with player development, recruiting, scouting, and game preparation for the Yellowjackets. After RCTC Coach Barnes spent time at Dixie State where he helped lead the recruiting efforts.
Barnes has earned recognition for coaching excellence, including being named the 2022–2023 Minnesota Girls Basketball Coaches Association (MNGBCA) Assistant Coach of the Year (AAA). Barnes has also contributed to teams that have competed in both the NJCAA Division III National Tournament and the MSHSL State Tournament.
“I am honored and excited to return to RCTC and lead the Yellowjacket Women’s Basketball program,” said Barnes. “RCTC has played an important role in my coaching journey, and I look forward to building a culture of hard work, accountability, and success both on and off the court.”
Barnes is known for strengths in player development, strategic planning, scouting, and fostering strong team environments that prioritize both performance and personal growth.
The Yellowjackets look forward to a new era under Barnes’ leadership as the program continues to build toward conference and national success.
About Rochester Community and Technical College Athletics
RCTC Athletics offers a comprehensive intercollegiate program that emphasizes academic success, leadership, and competitive excellence. The Yellowjackets compete in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) and NJCAA.
