Barnes Named Defensive Coordinator

Brent Barnes has been named the defensive coordinator for the Alfred State football team. Barnes has coached on both sides of the ball and has coaching experience at the NCAA DI, DII, and DIII levels since starting his career in 2001.

"I am ecstatic to have Coach Barnes on staff, and leading our defense," commented head coach Scott Linn. "He has a proven track record, both as an outstanding defensive coordinator, and as someone who has aided in big program turnarounds in the past. Coach Barnes will be a huge asset as we move forward into the next chapter of Pioneer football."

"I am excited to be working with Coach Linn again," stated Barnes. "I hope to bring an exciting attack orientated defense to Alfred State."

Most recently, Barnes spent time as the defensive quality control coach and analyst at Eastern Illinois (Charleston, IL). In 2017, he was the head coach,the offensive and defensive coordinator of the SBB Vukovi Beograd (Belgrade, Serbia) football team. He led the team to a 8-2 overall record (6-1 in the Serbian League).

From 2016-17 Barnes coached at Millikin University (Decatur, IL) where he served as the offensive coordinator, quarterback coach, and recruiting coordinator, in 2014-16 he served as the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach at Alfred University, and between 2012-14 he was the defensive pass game coordinator and secondary coach at Rhodes College (Memphis TN). 

Other coaching stops include: Simon Fraser University (Burnaby, British Columbia), Middlebury College (Middlebury, VT), University of Chicago, Utica College, University of Redlands (Redlands, CA), and Montclair State (Montclair, NJ).

He holds a master's degree in physical education from Montclair State and a three bachelor's degrees (Mechanical Engineering, Economics, and History from Rice University (Houston, TX).

Barnes will also coach the defensive backs for the Pioneers.