Vandalia Native Josie (Earnest) Barnes Named Next Head Coach of Vanderbilt University Bowling Program

Vandalia grad Josie (Earnest) Barnes is taking another step in her bowling career, this step coming on the coaching side as she will become the next Head Coach for Vanderbilt University Women’s Bowling after the current season concludes. Barnes is currently the Associate Head Coach, a position she has held since 2019 after being moved up from her Assistant Coach position that she served in for eight seasons. Barnes will succeed current Head Coach John Williamson who has helmed the program for 22 years and who it was announced in late January would transition away from the Head Coach role. Barnes, a Vanderbilt graduate, is a member of the Commodores Hall of Fame and helped Vanderbilt to its first National Championship in 2007 and was a two-time NCAA Player of the Year and was NCAA Tournament MVP in 2007. In her Women’s Professional Bowling Association career, Barnes is a four-time Champion and she has also been a member of Team USA nine times. In her first year as Head Coach in the 2026-2027 season, she will be joined by another Vandalia native as VCHS senior Macy Jones earlier this school year signed her letter of intent to bowl for Vanderbilt.