Brian Barnes Hired as NC State Associate Head Coach

Photo Courtesy: NC State Swimming & Diving

NC State swimming and diving announced on Tuesday the addition of the new associate head coach Brian Barnes to the staff, taking over for the outgoing Bobby Guntoro.

Barnes spent the last two seasons as the men’s assistant at Purdue University as the Boilermakers established nine records — six program and three freshman — during Barnes’ first season as an assistant coach in 2018-19. Purdue qualified three relays for the 2019 NCAA Championships, including placing 12th in both medley relays. The Boilermakers finished fourth at Big Tens, matching the program’s best showing, and 23rd at the NCAA Championships.

“I am very enthusiastic and remain humble for this opportunity to work at NC State,” said Brian Barnes in NC State’s release. “I now get to work every day at one of the most premier swimming and diving programs in the NCAA. I want to thank Coach Holloway and his staff for bringing me here. This is going to be really fun.”

Brian Barnes with Emma Reaney at the 2014 ACCs after breaking the American record. Photo Courtesy: Sara D. Davis

Brian Barnes was notably the head coach at the University of Notre Dame and a three-time Big East Coach of the Year from 2008 – 2014, as he coached Emma Reaney to an NCAA title and American record in the 200 breaststroke in 2014.

From April 2017 until the summer of 2018, Brian Barnes was an assistant coach with the Carmel Swim Club, one of the premier clubs in the Midwest. He worked with swimmers of all ages from 5 to 21, serving as a senior 1 lead and challenge 3 lead. He also has club experience as the head coach of the Lawrence Aquahawks (1998-02) and Michigan Marlins (1996-97).

While at Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish women won the Big East team title in 2009 and 2010 before making the move to the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2013. Reaney was among UND’s eight All-Americans and 14 NCAA qualifiers. She also was a three-time ACC champion and the league’s Swimmer of the Year in 2014. Barnes also coached two Big East Most Outstanding Swimmer honorees with the Irish. His swimmers won 42 conference titles in the Big East.

“We are excited to welcome Brian, Jack and Caroline to the Wolfpack family,” said head coach Braden Holloway. “Brian comes to Raleigh with an extensive background in swimming and one filled with success. My goal in the hiring process was to find the best all-around coach that fits NC State swimming and diving. Having coached in the ACC, Big 10 and SEC, Brian evinces a winning culture and has worked with some of the most legendary coaches in the sport.

“A proven leader, he has certainly shown he has the ability to get the most out of his swimmers in and out of the pool, and his passion for swimming is unwavering and contagious. Brian expresses details in his coaching and is a constant student of the sport and its science, but he also focuses on the relationships that are needed to achieve greatness.”

2006 NCAA Women's Swimming & Diving Championships University of Georgia

Brian Barnes (far left) helped win a national championship at Auburn in 2006. Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Brian Barnes also previously spent three seasons as an assistant at Auburn, helping the Tigers sweep the men’s and women’s NCAA team titles in 2006 and 2007. While he was on the staff, Auburn won a combined five Southeastern Conference titles. Barnes aided in guiding his swimmers to 291 All-America honors, including 11 individual and six relay national titles.

At Auburn, Barnes coached under all-time greats David Marsh and the late Richard Quick, who stand among the winningest coaches in collegiate swimming history. Both men were multi-time United States Olympic swimming team coaches and are members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Marsh and Quick combined for 25 NCAA team titles. While working under Marsh and Quick, Barnes helped mentor five Olympians.

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