Oakland Community College is starting the new academic year with fresh leadership, welcoming four new head coaches to competition in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association. The new season will also feature four new coaches to lead teams that compete in the fall.
Familiar faces lead Cross Country and Men’s Basketball
Tony Baracco returns to OCC Athletics as Head Coach of Men's and Women's Cross-Country. Baracco previously led the program from 2007-2012, producing 25 All-Americans across cross country, half marathon and indoor track, 40 All-Conference/All-Region runners, and five Cross Country All-Americans—earning Conference Coach of the Year in 2012. This season, he’ll lead the Men's and Women's Cross Country in a new direction, including the Men’s team made up entirely of freshmen.
On the court, Jason Rushton, has been promoted to Head Coach of OCC’s Men’s Basketball after serving as Associate Head Coach during last year's turnaround season. The team finished 24-9, a 19-win improvement, and reached the NJCAA Division II National Championship for the first time since 1987. Rushton previously coached at the high school level, including Birmingham Seaholm, Ann Arbor Pioneer, Saline and Dexter, where he won four district championships.
New leadership in Women’s Volleyball and Men’s Golf
Colleen Szakacs takes over as Head Coach of the Women's Volleyball. She spent six years leading Bishop Foley Catholic High School’s Girls Varsity team, where she amassed a combined record of 77-71 and captured a District Championship in 2023, with three previous appearances.
First-time college head coach, Steve Himmelsbaugh, will lead Men’s Golf. He spent the last seven years as Head Coach at Romeo High School, earning two Conference Championships and five State Finals. The last two years, he was also assistant coach for Men's and Women's Golf at Rochester Christian University.
Looking ahead
OCC’s Cross Country, Golf and Volleyball teams begin their seasons in September, with Men’s Basketball tipping off in November.
“These four new coaches have really hit the ground running. I am confident they will bring the knowledge and passion needed to give our student athletes a great chance to be competitive this year,” said OCC Athletic Director Jamie Corona.
OCC’s Women’s Basketball, under returning Head Coach Bob Belf, begins play in November, and Women’s Softball, coached by Corona, begins play in February.
Follow OCC Owls Sports at Athletics.
About OCC
Celebrating 60 years, Oakland Community College (OCC) has educated over one million students since 1965. OCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs and is committed to student success with affordable tuition, support services, flexible class options and top transfer opportunities. The College serves more than 20,000 students annually while advancing our community through education, training and career support. OCC is nationally recognized as Michigan’s top online college, and seventh in the U.S., by Newsweek’s America’s Top Online Colleges 2025. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
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