SDSU men’s basketball brings back Trame; Barnes to coaching staff

South Dakota State men’s basketball has turned to a familiar face to fill its coaching staff for the 2024-25 season as Tramel Barnes has been hired as an assistant, Jackrabbit head coach Eric Henderson said. Barnes previously served as an SDSU assistant coach from 2019-21. 
 
“Being able to bring Tramel back is invaluable,” Henderson said. “The amount of value he will bring to our program is incredible. He is a tireless worker, tremendous recruiter and great builder of relationships. He sets a great example for the athletes that he coaches. I’m really thankful that he decided to come back and be a part of the Jackrabbit coaching staff.”
 
Barnes was a member of Henderson’s staff in his first two seasons guiding the Jackrabbit program as head coach from 2019-21. The two campaigns saw SDSU earn a pair of Summit League regular season championships along with Henderson earning The Summit League Coach of the Year award in 2020.
 
During his stay in Brookings, Barnes was instrumental in the development of all-league performers in Baylor Scheierman and Douglas Wilson. Both were Summit League Players of the Year during their time in Yellow and Blue. For his efforts, Barnes was named to Silver Waves Media’s Top-50 Impactful Mid-Major Assistants list. 
 
Barnes has spent the last three years at the University Utah on the coaching staff led by Craig Smith. He’s served as a director of player personnel and assistant coach for the Utes. Barnes had previously worked with Smith during the 2018-19 season at Utah State where he served as director of basketball operations and player development. His campaign in Logan saw the Aggies win the Mountain West regular-season and tournament titles, as well as an NCAA Tournament berth. The NABC recognized Barnes for his efforts and named him to the 2019 Under Armour 30-Under-30 Team.
 
Barnes began his coaching career at Southwest Minnesota State after a four-year collegiate career capped by two seasons with the Mustangs. He spent six seasons on the SMSU coaching staff. While with the Mustangs, Barnes led them to a South Division Championship in the NSIC back-to-back years while going 53-15 in those two seasons – including a record-tying 28 victories in 2016-17. In total, Barnes saw six players reach all-conference status while 24 earned academic all-league honors during his time at SMSU.
 
Barnes received his bachelor’s in sports management from Southwest Minnesota State in 2013 before earning his masters in physical education from SMSU. Barnes is married to his wife, Brittani Wiese – who was four-year letter winner at Minnesota Crookston. 
 
Barnes replaces Khyle Marshall who recently accepted a similar position at Furman University.