Bill Barton, who came to Duquesne in the summer of 2007 as one of the most successful prep school coaches in the nation, was elevated to associate head coach by Ron Everhart this past offseason.

The Boston native, who played an instrumental role in the recruitment of 2008 Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team member Damian Saunders, helped Everhart land a 2008-09 recruiting class rated 26th in the nation by Hoop Scoop,while firmly establishing himself as one of the top recruiters in the East.

Barton came to the Bluff from Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Mass., where he led the basketball program to back-to-back Prep School National Championships in 2005-06 & 2006-07.

The 46-year-old Barton posted a 255-66 record in winning nearly 80 percent of his games against the top prep programs in the nation while at Notre Dame Prep.

Barton helped build a mini-dynasty at Fitchburg in his 10 seasons as head coach with over 70 of his former players - including former Dukes Shawn James, Kojo Mensah & Robert Mitchell and current Duke Damian Saunders - going on to play at the Division I level. Four of those players - Marcus Douthit (Providence College/2004 Los Angeles Lakers 2nd round, 56th overall), Ryan Gomes (Providence College/2005 Boston Celtics 2nd round, 50th overall) Will Blalock (Iowa State/2006 Detroit Pistons 2nd round, 30th overall) and Michael Beasley (Kansas State/2008 Miami Heat 1st round, 2nd overall) were drafted by NBA teams.

Some of the other prominent names who played for Barton include: Modibo Diarra (Memphis), Chester Frazier (Illinois), Paul Harris (Syracuse), Lazar Hayward (Marquette), Gary Irvin (Arkansas) and Carl Krauser (Pitt).

Barton, who completed his undergraduate degree in business at Salem State in 1989, added a master's in business administration from Suffolk University in 1991. Barton put those degrees to work at Notre Dame Prep, where he also served as the school principal and athletic director as well as an English teacher.

Barton and his wife, Susan, have two daughters, Maeve (7) and Nell (5).

THE BILL BARTON FILE
Birthdate: July 5, 1962
Birthplace: Boston, Mass.
Age: 46
College: Salem State `89
Degree: Business
Graduate Degree: Business Administration from Suffolk University `91
Family: Wife: Susan; Children: Maeve (7) and Nell (5)
COLLEGE COACHING EXPERIENCE
2008-      Assistant Coach (1)      Duquesne

At Notre Dame Prep: Head coach at Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Mass. for 10 seasons from 1997-98 to 2006-07 Record: 255-66 (.794):
• Won back-to-back Prep School National Championships in 2006 & 2007.
• Won nearly 80 percent of his games (255-66) against the top prep programs in the nation. Posted over 20 Prep Tournament and Invitational wins.
• Has had four former players selected in the NBA Draft: Marcus Douthit (Providence College/2004 Los Angeles Lakers 2nd round, 56th overall), Ryan Gomes (Providence College/2005 Boston Celtics 2nd round, 50th overall), Will Blalock (Iowa State/2006 Detroit Pistons 2nd round, 30th overall) and Michael Beasley (Kansas State/2008 Miami Heat 1st round, 2nd overall).

PROMINENT PLAYERS COACHED
Over 70 of Barton's players at Notre Dame Prep went on to earn NCAA Division I scholarships:
Michael Beasley - Kansas State
Will Blalock - Iowa State
Modibo Diarra - Memphis
Marcus Douthit - Providence
Chester Frazier - Illinois
Ryan Gomes - Providence
David Gonzalvez - Richmond
Paul Harris - Syracuse
Lazar Hayward - Marquette
Gary Irvin - Arkansas
Shawn James - Duquesne
Carl Krauser - Pittsburgh
Kojo Mensah - Duquesne
Robert Mitchell - Seton Hall
Damian Saunders - Duquesne
Lamonte Ulmer - Rhode Island