Brian Barone, head coach of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) men’s basketball team, has recently made headlines by leading the Cougars to their first-ever NCAA Divison I Tournament appearance.
Highlights
- Brian Barone leads Southern Illinois Edwardsville Cougars to their first NCAA Division I tournament.
- Brian Barone’s wife, Mimi Barone, is a physical therapist who has worked at Pheonix Physical Therapy Center.
- Brian and Mimi have four children: son Carson and daughters Ava, Gianna, and Cecilia.
On March 8, 2025, SIU Edwardsville Cougars made history with the 69-48 victory over Southeast Missouri State, clinching the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship.
As the tournament winner, SIUE received the conference’s automatic bid for the 2025 NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament.
This marks the Cougars’ first-ever NCAA Division I Tournament appearance. Head coach Brian Barone leads the team.
Barone’s coaching journey at SIUE began in 2019 as an interim head coach and was later announced as the head coach for the men’s basketball team.
SIUE head coach Brian Barone put scissors in a case six years ago and refused to open the case until making the NCAA tournament.
— ESPN (@espn) March 9, 2025
Today he broke them out to cut down the nets 👏 pic.twitter.com/Uj4oL2lahX
Moreover, during his appointment as head coach, Barone introduced a unique motivation symbol: scissors encased above the locker room door.
Furthermore, they vowed not to open the case until the NCAA tournament was established.
After their historic victory in the Ohio Valley Tournament, coach Brian broke them out to cut down the nets and embark on a new journey to the NCAA. Additionally, the coach mentioned,
People didn’t think we were going to be able to do it … We’ve been waiting six years
Brian Barone
Furthermore, SUIE basketball has earned a No. 16 seed and will face No.1 seed Houston Cougars on Thursday, March 20, 2025, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Wichita, Kansas.
Brian Barone And His Physical Therapist Wife, Mimi, Nurture Four Children: Three Daughters And A Son
Brian Barone is married to his love of the life, Mimi Barone. The couple tied the wedding knot on August 11, 2007.
Barone’s wife, Mimi, is a physical therapist. While her recent workplace is not publicly known, she has worked at Pheonix Physical Therapy, Glen Carbon/ Edwardsville, Illinois.
Moreover, Mimi specializes in curing fractures, back or neck pain, joint replacement, sports injuries, muscle or joint sprains, and automobile accidents.
Furthermore, Mimi is a mother to four children, and Brian Barone often mentions her as the family’s backbone.
On May 29, 2024, Brian posted a Birthday post for his beloved wife with a caption,
Happy birthday to Mimi Barone. She is pretty bigtime and pretty pretty. We are a lucky group to have her run our family.
Brian Barone
Brian and Mimi are parents of daughters Ava, Gianna, and Cecilia, as well as a son Carson Barone.
The eldest child, Carson Barone, is a Father McGivney Catholic High School sophomore. He plays point guard for the school’s 2024-25 boys’ basketball season.
Moreover, Carson is praised for his gameplay. His High school coach, Cory Clauser, states,
He has great potential. He is a great ball player and he loves basketball.
Cory Clauser
Furthermore, Ava, 14, is in her eighth grade, Gianna is in her sixth grade, and Cecilia, 7, is in second grade.
Brian Barone’s daughters are also athletic. The coach often posts pictures of girls involved in sports on his social media posts.
Similarly, the family of five pictures together in the memorable events within the family members.
Additional Information
- Brian Barone’s father, Anthony Andrew Barone Sr., was an American basketball coach and scout. He was head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA from 2002 to 2007.
- Brian Barone lost his mother, Kathleen P. Barone, on October 7, 2022. His father passed away on June 25, 2019.
