University of North Texas Athletics
Baker Named North Texas Assistant Basketball Coach
8/13/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
DENTON (8/13/03) -- University of North Texas head men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones has announced that Kobie Baker has been named an assistant coach.
Baker, who spent last season as an assistant coach under Ricky Blanton at Nicholls State in Thibodaux, La., replaces Alvin Brooks on the North Texas coaching staff. Brooks took an assistant coaching position at UT-El Paso, where he will work with head coach Billy Gillispie.
Baker spent last season as the recruiting coordinator and an assistant coach for the Nicholls State basketball program. He spent the prior season as an assistant coach at Troy State University, where he helped guide the Trojans to an 18-11 record and the Atlantic Sun Conference regular season title. Baker went to Troy State after spending two seasons as an administrative assistant at the University of Alabama under head coach Mark Gottfried. During his stint at Alabama he worked closely with Jones, who was an assistant coach with the Crimson Tide during the 2000-01 season. Baker joined the Alabama basketball program after spending the 1998-99 season as an assistant coach at Southeastern Louisiana.
"Kobie has gained valuable experience the last few years at different institutions that will allow him to bring new ideas to our program," said Jones. "Coach Baker’s knack for recruiting and ability to teach will be a great addition to our staff."
Baker graduated from Talladega College in 1998 after an outstanding basketball career with the school. He helped lead the Tornadoes to the Southern States Conference championship in 1995, when they advanced to the NAIA national tournament. He set the school record for three-pointers in a game with 11 against Spring Hill. Baker was a starter and team captain his last two seasons, averaging 14.5 points per game during that span. He led the team in three-pointers made, attempted and percentage as a junior and senior. The standout guard also led the conference in free throw shooting percentage and three-point field goal percentage.
"I am thrilled to be a part of the North Texas family and this community," said Baker. "Coach Jones has this program moving in the right direction, and I am excited to contribute to its continuing success. I have a tremendous amount of admiration for Coach Jones, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with him."
