Barber Matthews Named Head Women's Basketball Coach

Glendora, CA - Linnae Barber Matthews, who spent the 2015-2016 season as an assistant with the program, was named the new Head Women's Basketball Coach of the Citrus College Women's Basketball team. Barber Matthews takes over a program, who she helped guide to it's first post-season appearance in seven years. 

 "Citrus is a place that I wanted to be the Head Women's Basketball at because of the culture. The support from academic counselors, athletic department personnel, athletic trainers, administrator's, professors and the local community proves why we are among the nation's top community colleges," Barber Matthews said. "The culture is unmatched and academics is always a priority. It's something that shows when the Citrus student-athletes matriculate to a university."

Barber Matthews came to the Owls after having spent seven seasons as an assistant coach at one of the most respected women's basketball programs at community college level in College of the Canyons. While with the Cougars, Canyons won six straight WSC South titles from 2007-2012, and were consistently ranked in the State Top 20. 

"I have learned as a player and as a coach that this level is truly special and my student-athletes will be a reflection of my staff and I. My strengths come from personally being a product of a community college. I know the struggles, tears, adversity, academics, winning, losing and self-defeat," Barber Matthews said. "Basketball is an amazing sport that can shape you into someone more than you ever thought you can become. I believe in allowing my students-athletes to be who they are and shine on and off the court. The hallmark of my program will be to see all my student-athletes follow their dreams and become successful in their future endeavors."

During the 2012-2013 season, Barber Matthews took a break from the CCCAA and accepted a position at the University of Hawaii. That year the Rainbow Wahine finished third in a tough Big West Conference and were invited and competed in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT). Barber Matthews returned to College of the Canyons for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 seasons.

"My long-term goals for the program is to continue matriculate our student-athletes to the four-year university level. My passion for changing the lives of student athletes is authentic, and it allows me to bring out the best in who they are so they can own it," Barber Matthews said. "I believe in order to become an overall successful program on and off the court the student-athletes must follow their dreams, face reality, and believe in who they are. Every year it will be a different team, but every year we will all have the same goal and that is to use that basketball as a tool to becoming successful off the court and to be one team on the court."

Barber Matthews started her playing career at the community college level, playing two seasons for Canyons, earning 1st team All-WSC South honors and helping lead the Cougars to the WSC South Championship as a sophomore. After Canyons, Barber Matthews went on to earn a scholarship at Texas A & M University, Kingsville where she lettered two seasons and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies. Coach Barber Matthews earned her Master of Arts Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Sport-Exercise Psychology. Along with her work on the sidelines, Barber Matthews has also served as a sports life coach with various high school and collegiate programs. Barber Matthews is fluent in American Sign Language, and is a resident of Claremont.

"I would like to thank my parents Victoria Graffius and Jean Barber, Joanna Marie and my family for supporting me through my journey in following my dreams in becoming a head coach at a community college," Barber Matthews said.

"Linnae's resume and experience at the community college level and in the Western State Conference speaks for itself," said of Dean of Kinesiology and Athletics. "We are happy to have her take over the women's basketball program, and are confident she will lead our student-athletes to success on and off the floor."