Our Coaches

Relational, not transactional coaching. We take the motto to heart. For each other, and with each other. We are THE Texas Lions.

Varsity Head Coach Leo Clark

Coach Leo at the Faith Academy Tournament.

Coach Leo Clark’s basketball journey began as a young player determined to improve and earn an opportunity to compete at the college level. After playing at Chabot College, he earned a scholarship to Virginia Intermont College, where his experiences as a player helped shape his approach to training, leadership, and development.

For more than 20 years, Coach Leo has trained and developed players across Texas, Georgia, and California, helping numerous athletes earn college scholarships. With the Texas Lions, he focuses on building strong fundamentals, developing confident players, and mentoring young athletes both on and off the court.

Coach Leo believes success comes from embracing the details, trusting the process, and refusing to skip steps.

A man in a navy blue polo shirt with a logo on the left chest labeled "LIONS" and a smaller logo on the right labeled "MONARCH" is standing and writing on a small basketball coach’s clipboard with a black marker. The man is in an indoor sports setting and appears to be coaching or instructing.

Coach Mark Barnes

Coach Mark Barnes has been an integral member of the Texas Lions coaching staff since the program's founding. Throughout his tenure, he has served as both a head and assistant coach, working primarily with the JV and Varsity teams. Mark played four years of NCAA Division III college basketball at Concordia University Wisconsin. He is deeply passionate about developing players' basketball IQ by mastering fundamentals through hard work. Mark strongly believes the Texas Lions' mission extends far beyond the court. He is dedicated to transforming players by instilling personal character, leadership skills, and accountability for life after basketball. Mark lives with his wife, Sarah, and their four children

Coach Wade Slaton with the Texas Lions Basketball team.

Coach Wade Slaton

Coach Wade’s love for the game began on a West Texas farm in Idalou, Texas. Now in his fourth year with the Texas Lions Academy, he uses his background as a high school standout and NAIA college player to shape the next generation of athletes. Coach Wade firmly believes that purposeful player development is the key to transforming young talent. Aligned with the Lions' mission, he is dedicated to challenging his players through teamwork, effort, and commitment. Helping them unlock potential they never thought possible on and off the court.