MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx today announced the promotion of Chuck Barta to Director of Player Performance. Additionally, the Lynx announced the hiring of Andrea Hayden as the team’s Sports Performance Coach and Damon Jones as Player Development Coach and Video Coordinator.
Barta has served as the Head Athletic Trainer for Minnesota throughout his tenure, leading the training and rehabilitation care of the Lynx, including all four championship teams. Barta’s resume encompasses more than three decades of experience before the Lynx, including 18 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. Barta directs the collaboration with the multi-specialty Mayo Sports Medicine Clinic in Minneapolis in the care of Lynx athletes. The Columbia Heights, Minn. native graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a degree in Athletic Training and is board-certified through the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA).
Hayden joins the Lynx training staff after previously serving as the Associate Olympic Sports Performance Coach at Stanford University. She was a part of Stanford’s sports performance group for three years and oversaw all aspects of athlete performance enhancement for the women’s basketball and women’s golf programs. Before her time with the Cardinal, Hayden spent three years with the Minnesota Twins as the first female Strength and Conditioning Coach in Major League Baseball. A native of St. Louis, Mo., Hayden received her undergraduate degree in exercise science at Missouri Baptist University and earned her master’s in human performance at Lindenwood University, where she later served as the athletic performance coach from 2016 to 2019. Hayden is a registered strength and conditioning coach (RSCC) by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Jones joins Reeve’s coaching staff after coaching stints with Notre Dame College, John Carroll University, Missouri Western State University and Hope College. He also has several years of experience in various roles of player development and basketball operations with the NBA and G League, having worked for the Grand Rapids Gold and the Detroit Pistons. Jones played professionally for four years in Denmark, Spain and Ireland. The Cleveland, Ohio native ended his collegiate career having played two seasons at Mercyhurst University, where he led the Lakers to two appearances in the NCAA Division II Tournament.