Trey Barnes is on the move.

After spending the past two seasons as the head baseball coach of University Academy of Central Louisiana, the Vidalia native is set to take over the reins of Marksville High School.

“This is the right move for me at the right time,” said Barnes, who starred at Vidalia High School from 2005-2009. “We were playing 1A (at UA), and I wanted to get to a higher level of baseball. There is tough teams and tough competition in Avoyelles Parish.”

Barnes said the tradition of the LHSAA Class 3A program also added to his attraction.

“As a player at Vidalia, I remember the fans and the atmosphere being great,” he said. “The kids played hard, and they call the environment ‘Baby LSU.’ I always wanted to be a part of that, and I’m excited about it.”

The former University of Arkansas at Monticello first baseman departs UA following a successful two-year run in which he guided the Lions to back-to-back playoff appearances.

“UA means a lot to me. They took  a chance on me as a 24 year old fresh out of college, and I kind of had to grow up fast,” Barnes said. “They won less than 10 games the year before I got there, and we got up to No. 6 last year.”

Barnes is hoping to use the same magic he had at UA to help turnaround the Marksville program, which has had nine-consecutive losing seasons.

“I see a lot of potential,” he said. “They have a lot of young talent, and we’re going to try and bring Marksville back to the level they were when I played them.”