Atherton, CA- As the 2023-2024 season approaches, Men's Basketball Head Coach Brendan Rooney has been hard at work preparing the Oaks for the coming season. With that said, Rooney has bolstered his coaching staff, headlined with two highly experienced assistants.

The first coach joining the program is Barry Wellington who comes to Menlo from Lane College in Tennessee. Coach Wellington has built a strong resume as both a player and coach with stops all across the country. As a player, Wellington was a standout at Treadwell High School in Memphis, Tennessee which is famous for having produced NBA All-Star Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway. While at Treadwell, Wellington received various accolades including being named a two-time Gatordade Player of the Year and a two-time Best of the Preps player. 

Wellington started his college career playing for Mineral Area College where he averaged a solid 8.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. During his Junior season, Coach Wellington suited up for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where he asserted himself as one of the team's key pieces. After starting all 30 games and averaging a strong 10 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, Wellington transferred to powerhouse Mountain State University to play for Bob Bolen where he became an All-American.

As a coach, Wellington has continued to find success across the collegiate landscape. Coach Wellington began his career on the sidelines at Lamar State College Port-Arthur where he coached two Junior College All-Americans, a Region 14 Player of the Year award winner, four First-Team All-Region players, three Second-Team All-Region players, four First-Team All- Conference players, and three Second-Team All-Conference players.

After a successful four-year stint at Lamar State College Port-Arthur, Wellington then entered the NAIA ranks where he spent two seasons at the University of the Cumberlands as an assistant while also spending time as the head coach of the Pioneers' junior varsity program. His time in the NAIA was filled with multiple accolades including coaching two MSC First-Team All-Conference Selection, three MSC Second-Team All-Conference Selections, 12 MSC Academic All-Conference Honorees, two NAIA All-American Honorable Mentions and two NAIA Scholar-Athlete Honorees. 

Coach Wellington then took his talents to the NCAA Division II level and spent two seasons each at Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee and Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee before joining Head Coach Rooney's staff. Wellington brings not only an outstanding resume as a player and coach to Haynes-Prim Pavilion but his experience coaching across the nation allows the Oaks to continue to expand their basketball network across the country.

The second new name among the staff is Menlo Men's Basketball alumni Mike Barton. Coach Barton has over 20 years of coaching experience as well as a successful collegiate playing career that still sees him in the Menlo record books among various categories. As a player, Coach Barton played two years at Canada College under California Community College Hall of Fame Coach Mike Legarza. After completing two years at Canada College, Coach Barton was recruited by several Division II colleges in Northern California. Coach Barton ultimately decided to attend Menlo College where he completed his final two years of eligibility. Entering this season, Barton is still ranked 6th all-time in rebounds per game as well as having the 7th highest single-season rebounds per game average and 10th most total rebounds in a single season.

As a coach, Barton is equally as accomplished particularly in recent years. Between 2014 and 2017, Coach Barton was the head Junior Varsity basketball coach at Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo. During this time, Coach Barton led his teams to two WCAL League Championships, three Purple & Gold Classic Tournament championships and a Spartan Classic Tournament championship while achieving an overall record of 67-25. He also spent the 2018-2019 season as a varsity assistant coach with an emphasis on player development.  While at Junipero Serra High School, Coach Barton coached and helped develop one WCAL Player of the Year, six First Team All-League players, four Second Team All-League players and seven Honorable Mention All-League players.

After his time at Serra, Barton spent five seasons helping revitalize the College of San Mateo Men's Basketball program. While there, San Mateo qualified for the California State Playoffs for three consecutive seasons including a stellar 20-9 record during the 2021-2022 season. During his time with the program, Coach Barton helped develop six First Team All-Conference players, one First Team All-Defensive player and three First Team All-Freshman Team players. Additionally, eight players from the first three teams, including five players Coach Barton recruited, signed athletic scholarships to four-year universities, including three after only one year of competition with the program.

Lastly, Barton has spent the past two and a half years as the College Preparatory Varsity Head Coach with Team Esface Basketball Academy. While working with Team Esface, Barton has overseen the coaching and development of some of the area's best high school talent. In 2022-2023, four players Barton coached in the Spring and Summer earned Honorable Mention All-State nominations as well as coaching the PAL League MVP.

Coach Barton now returns to his alma mater with over 20 years of experience coaching at the grassroots, high school and college level. Coach Barton looks to continue to utilize his experience and network to develop and mentor players as they pursue their goals of maximizing their potential both on and off the court.

When asked about the newest additions to his staff, Head Coach Brendan Rooney expressed his excitement: "I could not be more fired up to have Coach Barry and Coach Barton join the staff. They are not only tremendous coaches but phenomenal men. They have a track record of winning and helping young men be in a better position upon graduation. I cannot wait for our guys to learn and grow both as players and people due to these great additions to the Menlo Oak Family."

This coming season is shaping up to be a great one inside Haynes-Prim Pavilion!