Holy Cross Athletics

RECRUITING AREAS: Maryland, D.C., Virginia, West Virginia

Kyle Barnes returns for his second season as Holy Cross' cornerbacks coach in 2023. 

In 2022, Barnes helped guide the Crusaders to their fourth consecutive Patriot League title, with cornerbacks John Smith and Devin Haskins earning All-Patriot League honors. Haskins was additionally an All-America honoree. As a team, Holy Cross went 11-0 during the regular season for the third time in program history and first time since 1991. The 2022 Crusaders (12-1) recorded the most single-season wins in program history and advanced to the NCAA FCS quarterfinals for the first time since 1983; their lone loss on the campaign was a hard-fought playoff contest to top-seeded South Dakota State, the eventual national champions. Holy Cross finished the year with a No. 6 ranking among all FCS teams as a result of numerous marquee wins, including a Hail Mary victory against FBS foe Buffalo and an overtime win over nationally ranked Fordham; the Crusaders also earned their first win at Harvard since 2000 and defeated Harvard and Yale in the same season for the first time in program history.

He previously worked as the nickels and outside linebackers coach at Sacred Heart, winning Northeast Conference titles with the Pioneers during the Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 seasons.

Previously, Barnes served as the cornerbacks coach at Assumption College in 2019; that season, Assumption led the NE10 in takeaways (21). Under Barnes’ tutelage, Carlins Platel earned First Team All-Conference and All Region honors for the first time in his career. He also coached Second-Team All-Conference Returner Joseph Kellum to his first appearance on the list.

Barnes began his career at Holy Cross during the 2018 season, serving in quality control roles for defense and special teams. During that time, Holy Cross’ special team units ranked top 10 nationally in blocked kicks, kick return yards, and kick return yards allowed.

Barnes is a 2018 graduate of Assumption College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in human services and rehabilitation studies. He was a four-year member of the Assumption football team, helping the Greyhounds to three NCAA playoff appearances and two Northeast-10 Conference titles.