COLORADO SPRINGS — In her first head coaching hire at Colorado College, athletic director Leslie Irvine has named Jeff Conarroe as the new men's basketball head coach on Saturday.
"I am thrilled to welcome Jeff back home to Colorado College," Irvine said. "Jeff stood out in what was a very competitive national search. He is a high integrity leader whose passion for his alma mater is contagious and engaging. I have no doubt that the men's basketball program will thrive under his leadership and look forward to supporting him and the program in this next chapter."
Conarroe has associate head coach for the men's basketball program at Division I California State University for the past year, but has been with the program as an assistant for the 8 years prior. This will be his first college head coaching job.
"Colorado College is a special place that is an ideal fit for me and my family," Conarroe said. "I am grateful to Lesley Irvine for believing in me, her passion for Colorado College and vision for CC Athletics is clear and she is a big reason I am coming home."
Conarroe is also a CC graduate ('99) and played for the Tigers men's basketball team.
Conarroe's wife, the former Mary Everett, played Division I soccer and four years in Division III lacrosse at Colorado College. She is third on the career scoring list for lacrosse with 252 points and led the Tigers to their first-ever NCAA playoff berth as an All-America selection as a senior in 1999.
On the court, the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons were the most memorable for the `Runners during Conarroe's tenure. He helped guide the team to a 49-19 record and a 26-2 mark in the Icardo Center during that span. In 2015-16, CSUB earned its spot in "March Madness" after winning the Western Athletic Conference tournament.
Prior to his stint at CSUB, Conarroe worked with Barnes as director of operations at Georgia State from 2007-11 and an administrative aide and graduate assistant at the University of Mississippi from 2003-06.
"I have been fortunate to work with one of the best coaches in the country for 16 years of my career," Conarroe said. "Coach Barnes has been an exceptional mentor and gigantic influence on my life. His resume speaks for itself, but he is loyal and a great friend. He and his wife Bridgett have made my family a part of their family. It will be hard to leave as the players, staff and alumni are all such big part of our lives. We are so thankful to CSUB and the city of Bakersfield for accepting us as your own. There is no doubt there is legacy here and I'm honored to be a part of it."
Conarroe will begin his duties at CC on June 2.
