Brian Barnes joined the Auburn staff in the summer of 2005 as an assistant coach and is entering his third year on staff.
[quote]Brian is a great coach that many people in the nation don[apos]t know about yet,[quote] said head coach Richard Quick. [quote]He has a great intuition in to what an athlete needs and how to get the most out of that athlete. His group of athletes that he worked with most of the time last season were just extraordinarily successful for this team at the NCAA Championships.[quote]
A former Indiana All-America selection, Barnes helped coach the 2005 Indiana men[apos]s team to its highest finish at the NCAA Championship since 1991 and its first 10-win dual meet season since 1985. His team in 2005 garnered 29 All-American honors, the most since 1976. In 2004, the Hoosiers had five All-Americans and finished 17th at the championship.
Prior to his coaching stint at Indiana, Barnes served as the head coach of the Lawrence (Kan.) Aquahawks from 1998-02. With the Aquahawks, he was responsible for the general management of a 200-member, parent-run swim club. He created a program for swimmers ages six to 22, planning practices and meet schedules for swimmers of all ages and abilities. During his tenure, Barnes produced a number of collegiate swimmers who went on to swim at the Division I level and was recognized as the Region VIII Coach of the Year in 2000.
Before joining the Aquahawks, Barnes served as the assistant coach at the University of Kansas from 1997-98. He developed daily workouts and was involved in every aspect of recruiting. Barnes began his coaching career with the Michiana Marlins, a club team in South Bend, Ind.
At his club stops, Barnes coached a 2002 National Junior Team swimmer, a 2001 Central Zone Record Holder, a 1998 World Championship Finalist, two of the top eight finalists at the Senior Nationals in 1996, and a Missouri Valley Swimming record holder. He has also coached several national age-group top-16 qualifiers (including one champion), several Missouri Valley age group champions, numerous Indiana State Champions and record holders, and several National Championship qualifiers.
Barnes was a highly accomplished swimmer during his career at Indiana University from 1992-95. A two-time team Most Valuable Swimmer, he served as team captain during his senior campaign.
In July of 2004, Barnes married the former Alyssa Winter. The couple welcomed the addition of a son to their family in October, 2006.