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

"I am grateful to Coach DeRose for giving me this opportunity to return to coaching and for welcoming me back to Bradley University," said new Assistant Soccer Coach Brian Barnett. "I am excited to assist both Coach DeRose and Coach Regan in leading the program forward." 

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. 

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). 

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.

"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." 

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