The Winston-Salem State University head football coach Robert Massey has announced the hiring of Offensive Coordinator Chris Barnette.
“This is a huge higher for the Rams”, said head coach Robert Massey. “We have a proven recruiter, proven coach, and proven teacher that will help us get over the hump in our quest for a CIAA championship.”
“I’m excited to be a part of Winston-Salem State, such a great University & Community,” said Chris Barnette. “I’m grateful that Coach Massey has entrusted me to serve & lead as the Offensive Coordinator. While some may look at it as a challenge, I’m looking at it as a great opportunity. A great opportunity to be with my family, a great opportunity to help develop boys to men, and a great opportunity to help WSSU get back to winning Championships.”
“It will start by having a championship mentality. Trust that I will take pride in developing a Championship mentality academically, in the community, and on the field.”
Barnette recently was at South Carolina State University as the Wide Receivers coach where he helped develop, tutor & mentor the wide receivers.
Before South Carolina State, he was the Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks coach at North Carolina A&T State University from 2015-2023. He was the play caller and coordinated all aspects of the offense as well as preparing and organizing practice/game plans. While at A&T in his first two seasons as the Aggies offensive coordinator, the Aggies won the MEAC, the Celebration Bowl, and the Black football national championship. Also, in his first two seasons, the Aggies offense was ranked No. 1 in the MEAC in red zone offense.
In 2021, Barnette was a part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Fellowship with the Washington Football Team. He assisted with the wide receivers during training camp and organized team activities.
Prior to accepting the position at A&T, Barnette spent the past 12 years at nearby Division III Guilford College as a player, student coach, and offensive coordinator. He served the Quakers well in all three capacities making the GC offense one of the most prolific in Division III as a player and coordinator.
Barnette's coaching career at Guilford began in 2007 as a student assistant working with wide receivers. In the spring of 2008, Barnette served as the offensive coordinator for the Elancourt Templiers of the French Elite League. The team went 9-3 and reached the league championship game.
As a player, Barnette caught a school-record 266 passes for 2,953 yards and 30 touchdowns in a four-year career that concluded in 2006. As a senior, he was named an All-American by the American Football Coaches Association and D3football.com. It would be his second straight All-American season. He led Guilford's pass-catchers in each of his four years. In addition, the Quakers' first ODAC Offensive Player of the Year, Barnette, played in the 2006 East Coast Bowl and Aztec Bowl senior all-star games.
Barnette earned his degree in sports management from Guilford College in 2007.
