GREEN BAY - John Barnes is taking the next step in his basketball coaching life after joining the Wisconsin-Green Bay women's program Monday.

The Escanaba native spent the past year as an assistant coach at University of Michigan under Kevin Borseth, who last month returned to UWGB as head coach. Barnes will be associate head coach.

Barnes, who pulled to the side of the road to talk while house hunting in Green Bay Monday, said the location and familiarity with Borseth were key factors in his decision to join the Phoenix.

"That was a very important decision compared to other jobs I was offered," said Barnes, who played at Michigan Tech during Borseth's tenure as head women's coach.

"That was a big selling point in coming to Green Bay. I know what he expects of me and he knows what I can do," Barnes said of taking a very attractive position. "There were a lot of people wanting the job."

He also interviewed recently for an assistant's role at Saint Louis University under Lisa Stone, who he worked for in 2010-11 at University of Wisconsin.

"I really liked it and I liked working for her," Barnes said. "They are really pushing to get the program headed in the right direction. Distance was a major factor (in declining the offer)."

He already knew of the UWGB opportunity and liked the idea of living close to his home town and Houghton, where he spent 2003-10 as women's head coach at Michigan Tech. He still owns a home there.

He also interviewed for the head coaching position at University of Northern Kentucky after his stint at Michigan ended. "I thought it went very well. It was a good experience to go through the process," he said.

"I was pretty picky as far as where I was interested in going," said Barnes. "I'm at the point where I want to work with someone I know I have a good relationship with. The area and distance all were factors."

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Barnes is UWGB cage aide