Beech Tree News Network

Barnett named BCHS boys' basketball head coach

MORGANTOWN — Dustin Barnett has been named the new head coach of the Butler County High School boys' basketball team. 

Barnett, 38,  replaces former head coach Calvin Dockery, who spent 13 seasons at the helm of the Butler County High School boys' basketball program.  A WKU graduate, Barnett has been teaching at Butler County Middle School for over five years and he has been coaching basketball for 12 years.  

 No stranger to the community, Barnett started at the Butler County Boys and Girls Club over 15 years ago and has remained active in the Butler County community ever since.

"The community of Butler County is why I wanted this job so bad. We do it the right way and will continue to do so," said Barnett.  "Our youth are poured into by not only their parents, but also their coaches, teachers, and administrators. It's a beautiful thing to be a part of!"

Familiar with the high school program and its players, Barnett has enjoyed a successful stint as Butler County Middle School head coach. During Barnett's time as a middle school head coach, Butler County captured several GRVC Championships.

"Having the advantage of coaching these young men in middle school is a huge advantage. We have always stayed in contact and our relationships have only gotten stronger," said Barnett.  "I am extremely excited to get back in the gym with them and after receiving several texts from these guys congratulating me, I know they are ready to get back to work as soon as possible."

The BCHS Bears compiled a 17-15 record in the 2024-25 boys' high school basketball season. After finishing as the 12th District runner-up, Butler County made an appearance in the 2024-25 3rd Region Boys' Basketball Tournament. 

Butler County remains a title contender. However, Butler County is set to lose eight players to graduation.

Butler County captured the 2023-24 3rd Region boys' basketball title. 

"We lost a lot due to graduation and that group is going to be missed by myself and this community for many years to come. Amazing group of young men that are all going to do great things," said Barnett.  "Replacing the majority of our scoring is going to be tough, but we have some guys that are going to seize the moment."

The coach continued, "Curtis Murphy will be the only player we return who played significant varsity minutes, but he is also one of the best returning 3-point shooters in the region. Our sophomore and junior classes are going to have to step up big time and quickly, maybe even some freshmen, but I know that they are up to the challenge. We have pieces in place and I'm excited to get started."

"We are excited about having Coach Barnett as our next basketball coach, his passion for Butler County, and love for basketball," said BCHS principal Stoye Young.  "We have talked about what success looks like in the Butler County basketball program, and he knows it is a job at every level, junior pro to middle school to high school.  He wants to keep the good things going that Coach Dockery has built, and he is ready to work with the student-athletes in Butler County."

The Bears will be back on the court for summer basketball soon. Butler County will be active prior to the start of the KHSAA Dead Period in late-June.

The Bears' 2025-26 schedule will be finalized and released later in the offseason. Under the guidance of its new head coach, Butler County will open preseason practice in mid-October.

According to BCMS principal Tim Freeman, the head coaching position at BCMS will be posted soon and plans are for it to be filled in 30 days.