Brian Barnes

Biography

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. Barnes succeeds the late Dan Colella, who coached the Blue Devils for two decades before his passing from cancer in December. 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. "I want to thank President Vincent Price, Director of Athletics Nina King and the rest of the hiring committee for this opportunity," said Barnes. "I am humbled and honored to follow the late Dan Colella in this role. Dan's passion for the sport and his student-athletes is something that I strive to continue and follow here at Duke. I have been so fortunate throughout my coaching career to have been surrounded by so many amazing swimmers, divers and coaching peers. Accepting the head coaching job at Duke is a product of all those influences and I remain humble knowing that not everyone is afforded an opportunity like this. I want to thank my 16-year-old son, Jack, and 14-year-old daughter, Caroline. I have always made these decisions looking through their lens and they have been right beside me at every stage in this process, often sending