Brian Barnes - Director of Swimming and Diving - Swimming & Diving Coaches

Brian Barnes

Title:
Director of Swimming and Diving
Email:
brian.barnes@duke.edu

Brian Barnes was announced as the sixth head coach in program history on May, 22, 2023, after spending the previous three years as the associate head coach at NC State. Barnes assumes the role as the Director of Swimming and Diving for the Blue Devils and has ushered in a new era of success for the Duke program.

Including stops at Purdue, Notre Dame, Kansas, Auburn and his alma mater, Indiana, prior to his three-year stint as the associate head coach for the Wolfpack, Barnes is an accomplished collegiate coach with an extensive resume of producing individual and team success.

In 2025-26, Barnes led the Blue Devils to a t-21^st finish at the NCAA Women’s Championship and a fourth-place finish for the men at the CSCAA National Invitational Championships. During the successful campaign, Duke set seven program records. On the women’s side, Tatum Wall set records in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle, Ali Pfaff became the fastest Duke swimmer in the 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke, and Kaelyn Gridley broke the 100-breaststroke record. For the men, Charlie Kulp set the record in the 500 freestyle and Justin Wong set the record in the 100 butterfly.

As a team, the men posted wins over Marymount, Boston College and Davidson. The women took down East Carolina, Boston College, Davidson, North Carolina, Northwestern and Georgia Tech.

During the 2024-25 campaign, Duke earned another top 25 finish at the Women’s NCAAs and top 10 finish for the Men at the CSCAA National Invitational. The Blue Devils set six new school records, including two relay records in the 200 Medley and 200 Freestyle Relays, and individually by Wall, who is the first women in school history to break the 48 second barrier, Pfaff in the 100 and 200 backstroke, and Gridley in the 100 Breaststroke. Kaelyn Gridley also matched her fourth-place finish in the 200 breaststroke from the previous year as well as garnering first team All-America honor in the 100 breaststroke. The program also saw multiple additions to the all-time top 10 record book.

In the 2023-24 season, Barnes led the Blue Devils to their highest ever finish at the NCAA Championship (16th). At the NCAA Championship, Kaelyn Gridley secured All-America honors with a fourth-place finish in the 200 Breaststroke, while Sarah Foley and Ali Pfaff earned second team All-America recognition in the 200 IM and 200 Backstroke respectively. The Women’s 400 Medley Relay made up of Ali Pfaff, Kaelyn Gridley, Aleyna Ozkan and Sarah Foley placed seventh for All-America honors for the first time in Duke’s history.

Barnes had a tremendous second season with the Blue Devils with the women’s team having their highest finish to date (17th) at the NCAA Championship. He helped mentor the Blue Devils to multiple program records as well as a slew of All-America honors, highlighted by first team honors by Sarah Foley and Kaelyn Gridley.

NC State's women finished a program-best No. 2 in 2021. The teams followed that with the best combined finish by any program in the nation in 2022 and 2023, as the men took fourth and the women placed fifth in 2022. Barnes played a role in leading NC State's men back to the top of the podium at the 2022 and 2023 ACC Championships.

At the 2023 Women's NCAA Championship, Barnes oversaw 10 first-team All-Americans and eight second-team All-Americans, with participants on the 200-medley relay team breaking the school record. The Wolfpack men's and women's teams secured top-eight finishes in each of the last three NCAA Championship meets.

As the men's assistant coach at Purdue, the Boilermakers set benchmarks in all five relays and set nine records – six program and three freshman – during Barnes' first season in 2018-19. That year, three relay teams qualified for the NCAA Championships where the team placed 23rd overall. Barnes helped orchestrate two relay records and the Boilermakers' first relay medal since 2009 at the 2020 Big Ten Championships.

Prior to his time at Purdue, Barnes was a three-time Big East Coach of the Year as the women's head coach at Notre Dame, leading the Fighting Irish women to Big East team titles in 2009 and 2010. He also coached two Big East Most Outstanding Swimmer honorees and saw his student-athletes win 42 individual and relay conference titles.

After Notre Dame moved to the ACC at the start of the 2013-14 campaign, Barnes helped guide Emma Reaney to the 2014 NCAA title in the 200-yard breaststroke, Notre Dame's first NCAA champion in the pool. Reaney set NCAA and American records in the event after being named 2014 ACC Women's Swimmer of the Year.

In total, Barnes coached 21 All-Americans, 168 all-conference selections, 45 conference event titles and 24 NCAA qualifications while at Notre Dame.

A native of Osceola, Ind., Barnes completed his collegiate swimming career at Indiana, where he was a seven-time All-American for the Hoosiers. He qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1992 and 1996 and was also a member of the USA Swimming National Team in 1989 and 1992.

He resides in Cary, N.C., with his two children, Jack and Caroline.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Duke – Director of Swimming and Diving (2023-Pres.)

Led the women’s team to their highest-ever finish at the 2023-24 NCAA Championship’s (16^th)
Guided the women to a top 25 finish at the NCAA Championship’s and the men to a top 10 finish at the CSCAA National Invitational (2024-25).
Under the guide of Barnes, Duke athletes have set a number of program records, including seven in 2024-25.
Has mentored All-American honorees, including the program’s first 400 medley relay team to earn the honor.

N.C. State – Associate Head Coach (2020-23)

Contributed to three consecutive top eight finishes for both the men’s and women’s teams at the NCAA Championships.
Helped the women’s team achieve a program-best second place finish at the 2021 NCAA Championships.
The men’s and women’s team had the best combined finish at the 2022 NCAA Championships.
Played a major role in leading the men to back-to-back ACC Championships.

Purdue – Assistant Coach (2018-20)

Helped the team set nine records, including six program and three freshman records, in his first season.
Aided in orchestrating two relay records and the program’s first relay medal since 2009 at the Big Ten Championships.
Helped the team qualify three relays for the NCAA Championships, where they placed 23^rd overall.

Notre Dame – Head Women’s Coach (2008-14)

Coached Emma Reaney, the school’s first NCAA Champion in the pool.
A three-time Big East Coach of the Year (2009, 2010, 2013).
Led the Fighting Irish women to two Big East titles.
Coached 21 All-Americans, 168 all-conference selections and saw his student-athletes win 42 individual and relay conference titles.

Auburn – Assistant Coach (2005-08)

Helped lead the men’s and women’s teams sweep NCAA team titles in 2006 and 2007.
Contributed to a combined five SEC titles.
Mentored five Olympians.
Helped swimmers earn a total of 291 All-American honors.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT COACH BARNES

"I am thrilled beyond belief for Brian and for the Duke swimming family. I've never met anyone as zealous about the sport as Brian and I know he'll pour his heart and soul into this program. There really is no better person for the job. I'm so excited to see where he takes the team – I have no doubt it will be to great heights." – Emma Reaney, 2014 NCAA Champion at Notre Dame

"Congratulations to Duke, its leadership, alumni, current athletes and future athletes. Brian Barnes is one of the great leaders and mentors in our sport. Brian's ability to develop teams and individuals is second to none. I am very excited for Brian and look forward to seeing the great swimmers and divers at Duke continue to thrive under his leadership." – Tyler McGill, 2012 Olympian and former Auburn swimmer

"Brian will do a great job leading the Duke men's and women's program! Coach Barnes is one of the absolute best coaches I've ever shared the deck with. He understands the science, art, and the student-athlete experience that is so critical in college coaching. High school swimmers who want to strive for World Class performances and have the amazing Duke experience (as my daughter did) will be wise to consider Duke University. Coach Barnes professional development working with many of the nation's top programs can give Blue Devil fans and the current swimmers and divers confidence that there are exciting days ahead!" – David Marsh, Associate Head Coach, University of California Berkeley

"Brian Barnes has one of the finest swimming minds of our day. His coaching tree of Ray Looze, Richard Quick, David Marsh, and more recently Braden Hollaway and the legend Mark Bernadino, are as good as they get. He made me a better coach during his time at Purdue. Very positive and complimentary of all of his co-workers wherever he worked. He can coach any event, any sex and any physiological makeup. With the right staff around him, Duke will flourish. He knows how to recruit outstanding students who are excellent swimmers from being at Notre Dame and Purdue with similar academics to Duke." – Dan Ross, Men's Swimming & Diving Coach, Purdue University

#GoDuke