HICO, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Justin Barnhouse is officially the new head coach of the Midland Trail High School boys basketball team after being approved by the Fayette County Board of Education during its June 23 meeting.
Barnhouse succeeds longtime head coach Curtis Miller and will take over the Patriots program after serving in several coaching roles within the Midland Trail community over the past 14 years.
In a Facebook post following his appointment, Barnhouse said he was “truly honored and humbled” to accept the position.
“First and foremost, I want to thank God for His guidance and blessings,” Barnhouse wrote. “I am truly honored and humbled to officially accept the position of Head Boys Basketball Coach at Midland Trail High School.”
He also thanked school administrators and the Fayette County Board of Education “for their confidence and for entrusting me with this opportunity,” adding that being selected to lead the program is “something I do not take lightly.”
A Midland Trail graduate, Barnhouse reflected on the coaches who influenced him during his playing days, including John Flournoy, Eddie Linkenhoker, Bill Kessler and Jeff Eades.
“Their leadership, discipline, and love for this community shaped me not only as a player, but as a man,” he wrote.
Barnhouse has coached in a variety of roles since 2012. He served as the Midland Trail High School boys basketball assistant coach from 2012 to 2014, coached in the John A. Flournoy Youth Basketball League from 2012 to 2019 while serving as league president in 2019, led the Midland Trail Middle School boys basketball team from 2020 to 2024 and again during the 2025-26 season, served as assistant coach for the high school girls basketball team during the 2024-25 season, and has been the school’s head golf coach since 2023. He has also coached youth football and served as an assistant middle school football coach.
Barnhouse credited late principal Diane Blume and Miller for helping launch his coaching career.
“I owe special thanks to Diane Blume and Coach Curtis Miller for giving me my start in coaching,” he wrote. “Coach Miller, I appreciate everything you have done for this program, and I promise to continue building upon the foundation you have established.”
Looking ahead, Barnhouse said his goal is to create continuity throughout Midland Trail’s basketball program.
“Our vision is to build one program—from youth basketball to middle school to high school—united by a common identity and a commitment to excellence,” he wrote. “We will work every day to create a culture built on discipline, toughness, accountability, and pride.”
He also addressed his players, promising “honesty, energy, and commitment” while emphasizing that “wearing ‘Patriots’ across your chest is a privilege, not a right.”
Barnhouse concluded his message by thanking his wife, Jamie Barnhouse, and his family for their support before expressing his excitement for the opportunity.
“It is a privilege to come home and lead the program that helped shape me,” he wrote. “I am excited about the future, grateful for this opportunity, and ready to get to work. Hail Trail.”
