Milligan tabs Joe Barber as next head men’s soccer coach

Published 10:26 am Wednesday, January 19, 2022

MILLIGAN – Milligan University Director of Athletics Christian Pope has announced Joe Barber as the Buffs’ head men’s soccer coach, following a national search in December and January.

“As a program that has ascended to a height that would be daunting for some, to have a coach come in with Joe’s depth and breadth of experience and knowledge of the game is very exciting,” said Pope. “I couldn’t be more pleased to have a man of his character joining us at Milligan University and am delighted to hand over the keys to our men’s soccer program to Coach Barber. I’m eager to see what he can do to grow the recognized structure and successes we have known for the past few years.”

Barber comes to Milligan after successful assistant coaching stops at the NCAA Division I, Division II, NAIA, and junior college levels. He joins the Buffs after a successful 2021 season at Auburn Montgomery.

Barber helped the Owls earn their first-ever berth in the NCAA Division II Postseason Tournament this past fall. In the NCAA postseason, AUM defeated No. 9 Tampa 1-0 and knocked out No. 1 Young Harris in penalty kicks. The Owls’ postseason run came to an end in the national quarterfinals, and AUM concluded the 2021 season No. 8 in the NCAA Division II final rankings.

AUM was one of the top defensive teams in the nation in 2021. The Owls allowed just 17 goals in 20 games and ranked No. 8 nationally in shutout percentage (50.0 percent) and starting goalkeeper Alexander Kraus ranked top five in goals against average (0.57) and shutouts (10).

Before Auburn Montgomery, Barber spent three seasons (2018-20) at NCAA Division I Georgia Southern. In 2018, Georgia Southern reached the Sun Belt conference tournament final and the Eagles achieved their highest-ever final RPI (No. 75). During his time at Georgia Southern, Barber coached two Sun Belt Newcomers of the Year and 2018 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, Javier Carbonnell.

He spent two years as an assistant coach at Temple University in 2016-17. Over those two seasons, the Owls posted a 19-14-2 and record and went unbeaten at home in 2016. The Owls posted their best finish in the American Athletic Conference (third) and qualified for their conference tournament in 2017.

In 2015, Barber coached at Eastern Florida State. The Titans went 15-2-2, took third at the NJCAA Division I National Championships and had four players reel in NJCAA All-America honors. He began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at the University of Mobile in 2014. The Rams won the Southern States Athletic Conference regular-season title, reached the NAIA National Championship Final Site, and finished the year No. 6 in the final NAIA national rankings. While in Alabama, Barber also won the u17’s Boys Alabama State Cup with his club team and was the assistant to the Girls u17’s team who also won their state cup.

Barber played collegiately at Limestone and the Florida Institute of Technology. He graduated from Florida Tech with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Sustainability in 2014.

Originally from Leeds, England, Barber holds USC Advanced National Diploma, USSF E License and the English FA Level 2 coaching qualifications.