Former assistant coach at Bradley University, Brian Barnett is back on the Hilltop as an assistant coach for the 2023 season. 

"We are extremely excited to welcome Brian back to Bradley University," said Bradley Soccer head coach Jim DeRose. "Brian has tremendous experience as a Division I head coach, and as one of the nation's top assistant coaches during his tenure at Bradley. During his time on the Hilltop, Bradley enjoyed great on-field success and academic achievement, helping us advance to multiple NCAA Tournaments and winning Missouri Valley Conference championships. Having him back at Bradley is an incredible addition to the program and our student-athletes, as well as, our entire Bradley community." 

Barnett is a Peoria native as he attended Peoria Notre Dame High School and went on to Aurora University to study and play soccer. In his time at Aurora, Barnett was a four-year starter on the backline for the Spartans. After an NCAA Tournament birth in 2006, Barnett was made captain in 2008 and led his team to a 14-8-1 record while earning first-team All-Northern Athletics Conference honors. 

In four seasons, Barnett played in 73 games, starting in 66. He helped lead the Spartans to a 44-22-11 record and held the opposing teams to a 1.17 goals against average. Barnett graduated from Aurora in 2009 with his bachelor's degree in business administration. 

After graduating, Barnett joined the Bradley staff in 2009 and served as an assistant coach until 2016. In his eight seasons as the Bradley assistant, Barnett helped the team to three NCAA Tournament Appearances (2010, 2011 and 2013) and two Missouri Valley Conference Championships (2010 and 2013). 

The Bradley team averaged 10 wins, the 23rd most overall wins amongst 206 Division I institutions and the ninth most overall wins amongst 99 private institutions during Barnett's first stint with the Braves. 

While serving as an assistant coach, Barnett was also the recruiting coordinator for the team. The Braves had two All-American honorees, five All-Region performers, one Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, two Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year and three Missouri Valley Conference Tournament MVPs. 

Barnett left the Hilltop in 2016 to become the head coach of the IUPUI Jaguars. In his time in Indianapolis, Barnett led the program to its first tournament appearance since 2013 and first postseason win since 2007. He was greatly involved with the Indianapolis and IUPUI community as Barnett and his team performed over 300 hours of community service annually. The program collaborated with Indiana Soccer and Indy 11 Professional Soccer to establish the "Kickin' it with Book Soccer and Reading Clinic." 

Brian and his wife, Brittany, reside in Peoria with their three children Blake, Kate and Connor.