Mississippi State’s men’s basketball program entered the offseason with a clear mandate: rebuild after a disappointing campaign that fell short of expectations. Head coach Chris Jans announced a comprehensive overhaul of the assistant coaching ranks, bringing in three new voices to complement his vision.
New Faces on the Bench
The first hire, Shunn Buchanan, arrived early in the process and immediately became a focal point of the rebuild. A native of Durant, Mississippi, Buchanan previously worked alongside Jans at New Mexico State and Navarro College, giving him intimate knowledge of Jans’s system. His selection also earned him an invitation to the 4th Annual Silver Waves Media Rising Stars Power Lunch, underscoring his rising profile in coaching circles.
Alex Barlow, another newcomer, brings a blend of playing experience and rapid coaching ascent. Barlow starred for four seasons at Butler before transitioning to coaching, where he quickly rose to lead the Maine Celtics. His first coaching opportunity came under Brad Stevens, the former Boston Celtics head coach, who handed Barlow his initial staff role. Barlow’s trajectory from player to head coach of the Maine Celtics to Butler’s staff illustrates a modern pathway that Jans hopes to leverage.
Corey Barker rounds out the trio as the most seasoned of the new assistants. Barker’s coaching journey has spanned multiple programs, including Paris Junior College, Arkansas State, Bowling Green, Louisiana Tech, TCU and New Mexico State, where he crossed paths with Jans before. His extensive experience across diverse conferences equips him with a broad network and a versatile perspective that Jans believes will strengthen the staff’s depth.
Strategic Roster Moves
Beyond staff changes, Jans emphasized the importance of upgrading the roster through the transfer portal. The program secured a talented class of newcomers, aiming to inject fresh skill sets and depth that can compete at a higher level in the upcoming season. This dual focus on coaching renewal and player acquisition signals a holistic approach to reversing last season’s shortcomings.
The assembled coaching unit, anchored by Jans’s leadership and enriched by the varied backgrounds of Barlow, Buchanan and Barker, is positioned to reshape the team’s identity. With a refreshed staff and a targeted portal class, Mississippi State hopes to restore competitiveness and reestablish its presence among the upper echelon of collegiate basketball.