Former Cal State Bakersfield basketball assistant coach Kevin Mays is currently incarcerated as he awaits trial following serious allegations, including charges of operating as a pimp across four states. The investigation that led to these charges began with a tip submitted to then-head coach Rod Barnes in August. Mays, a former athlete for the university from 2014 to 2016, briefly held a coaching role with the team last summer.
According to documents obtained by ESPN, the investigation was triggered by an anonymous letter sent to Barnes, which claimed Mays was trafficking a female victim since May of this year. The letter led to an inquiry by the Bakersfield police and resulted in multiple charges against Mays, including felonies such as pimping, possession of automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines, as well as possession of methamphetamine and marijuana with intent to distribute.
Mays has entered a plea of not guilty to all allegations, and his legal team has declined to comment at this time. Sally Selby, the public affairs and communications manager for the Bakersfield Police Department, confirmed that the investigation is still active, with plans for further interviews that may lead to additional charges.
The controversy has extended to the university’s athletic department, resulting in the termination of athletic director Kyle Conder on September 8, shortly after Mays’ arrest. Conder has since filed a lawsuit against Cal State Bakersfield, alleging he was terminated in retaliation for reporting potential crimes and misconduct within the university. His lawsuit claims that the timing of his dismissal was intended to make him a “convenient scapegoat” in the Mays affair. The university has publicly denied these allegations and intends to contest various aspects of the lawsuit.
Coinciding with these events, Barnes resigned from his coaching position, concluding a successful 14-year tenure that included participation in both the NCAA Tournament and the NIT. Although no specific reasons for his departure were provided, Cal State Bakersfield President Vernon B. Harper Jr. expressed gratitude for Barnes’ leadership, which he credited for fostering academic excellence and community engagement among student-athletes.
This unfolding situation highlights significant concerns surrounding athlete welfare and the responsibilities of university programs in safeguarding their students and personnel. The developments also illustrate the challenges that institutions face when navigating allegations of misconduct, pointing to the need for transparency and thorough investigative processes.