Notre Dame Brings Barnes Home

After an excruciatingly long wait, Notre Dame appears to have found its man, and Brian Barnes gets to return home. The Auburn assistant will become the new women's coach for the Fighting Irish, replacing Carrie Nixon. The Osceola, Indiana native will take over a team that has won the past dozen Big East conference titles, and inherits a small, but highly-touted recruiting class.

Barnes becomes the fifth head coach in the program¹s 25-year history after serving as an assistant coach at Auburn since 2005.  He brings the Irish a known name, and counts not only club and college coaches as fans, but even a US Senator.

"We're thrilled that Brian has come to lead our women¹s swimming program," said Notre Dame athletics director Jack Swarbrick.

"He has worked with world-class swimmers at Auburn, and he competed as part of a program at Indiana that has as much tradition as any. He absolutely understands what it takes to be successful in the environment of women¹s swimming at the intercollegiate level."

"It¹s an absolute honor to be here at Notre Dame," Barnes said. "My coaching career has now gone full circle, beginning as a club coach for 10-year-olds and practicing at (Notre Dame¹s) Rolfs Aquatic Center to being the head coach here."

"I¹m fired up and honored to be able to represent Notre Dame. This school is one of the finest academic institutions in the world, and I certainly believe that you also can have high levels of success here at Notre Dame in women¹s swimming and diving."

An Osceola, Ind., native, Barnes helped guide both the Auburn men¹s and women¹s swimming teams to NCAA Championships in 2006 and 2007. The men won the Southeastern Conference meet three times from 2006 through 08, while the women picked up a pair of league titles during that span. In 2008, Auburn¹s men placed fifth at the NCAA meet, with the women posting a runner-up performance.

Says David Marsch, Head Swimming Coach, Center of Excellence Mecklenburg Aquatic Club (N.C.), "He is one of the top young coaches in the United States. His background gives him tremendous experience at all levels and in all events. The passion Brian will pour into Notre Dame will no doubt lead to phenomenal success in the future. Notre Dame hit a home run with this hire."

Vicki Schmidt, Kansas State Senator adds, "I'm one of Brian¹s most ardent fans. He is the best thing in swimming. He is everything that is great about a coach and represents all that a coach should be. He coached our son throughout high school and became a part of our family, and it speaks to Brian¹s character that he has stayed in touch with us throughout the years. I wish I could have sent more children his way! He has no weaknesses, only strengths. Notre Dame is a lucky school to have landed him. He will make the University proud. I¹m thrilled that he gets to return home and I look forward to following his progress."

From the club ranks, Wichita Swim Club's Eric Nelson adds, "I think Notre Dame made a great hire in Brian Barnes. He is a great leader of student-athletes. He¹s an extremely confident and professional coach. The best thing about him is that he cares about people. Notre Dame will turn out great swimmers and great people under Brian."

"Brian is a great coach that many people in the nation don't know about yet," said Auburn head coach Richard Quick. "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."

A former Indiana All-America selection, Barnes helped coach the 2005 Indiana men'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.