Northwest Mississippi Community College Rangers

Austin Bates was added to the Northwest men’s basketball coaching staff in August 2025.

Bates brings a wealth of coaching experience and reunites with head coach John Redman, after the two served on Mike Nienaber’s staff at Delta State University from 2019-21. While at DSU, the duo helped the Statesmen to a pair of Gulf South Conference Tournament appearances and coached several players who earned All-GSC and Player of the Week awards.

Most recently, Bates served as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Snead State Community College, a position he took following the completion of his DSU stint. Prior to joining Delta State, he served as a student assistant for the men’s basketball program at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where he was mentored by head coach Lennie Acuff from 2014-19. During his tenure as student assistant coach at UAH, the Chargers earned two Sweet Sixteen NCAA Tournament appearances, won two Gulf South regular season championships and made four NCAA Tournament appearances. 

Bates graduated from Delta State University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. In addition to his love of coaching basketball, Bates has an unrivaled passion for all things Mississippi State and enjoys spending time with family and his dog, Izzy.