John Barnes is entering his 18th season as an Assistant Coach for the University of Northwestern Volleyball team in 2024. Coach Barnes has been an integral piece in the most successful era of Eagle Volleyball in program history.
While Coach Barnes has been on the sidelines with the Eagles, UNW Volleyball has become the most consistent program in the UMAC and one of the top programs in the country. Barnes has helped guide the Eagles to 16 UMAC Championships and 12 National Tournament appearances. During Coach Barnes' tenure, the Eagles had a stretch where they appeared in three straight NCAA Sweet 16s. In 2015, the Eagles made the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history. The Eagles followed up that historic season with the best season in program history. In 2016, the Eagles went on a magical run where they reached the NCAA Final Four, and fell just two wins short of a National Championship. In 2017, the Eagles would appear in the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive time. In 2022, the Eagles made another incredible run in the NCAA tournament where they got as far as to the Final Four. The 2023 Eagles made it back to the Elite 8 for the third time in program history.
One of Coach Barnes' strengths is player development. While he has been an assistant coach with the Eagles, many players have had great individual success. Coach Barnes has helped develop 20 NCAA/AVCA All-Americans, seven UMAC Players of the Year, and numerous all-conference athletes. In 2021, Coach Barnes coached Abby Glanzer who was named AVCA Freshman of the Year, and Sydney Schwitters who was named NCCAA Player of the Year. Coach Barnes also coached Lindsey Peterson who was named AVCA National Player of the Year in 2016.
Coach Barnes attended Northwestern where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Middle School Mathematics. Barnes also earned his Master's in Education/Differentiated Instruction from Concordia University-St. Paul. Barnes played tennis while at Northwestern and earned UMAC All-Conference honors in 2007 and 2008.
When he is not coaching volleyball, Coach Barnes works as an elementary teacher in the White Bear Lake Area School District. Barnes currently resides in Lino Lakes with his wife, Jan, their daughter, Joelle, and their son, Jordan.
