Kyle Barnes - Football Coach - James Madison University Athletics

Kyle Barnes

Title:
Nickels
Phone:
540-568-6517
Physical Address:
Plecker APC 224 (220 Champions Dr.) / MSC 2201

Kyle Barnes is in his third season with the James Madison football program in 2026, as he serves as the cornerbacks coach. Barnes was previously the nickels coach at JMU for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

This past season, Barnes aided the Dukes to top-20 rankings in nine team categories, which included fifth in total defense (266.6) and 13th in scoring defense (18.4).

JMU was also fourth in fewest first downs allowed (14.6), fifth against the run (85.1), sixth on third down (29.4%), 10^th in both defensive touchdowns (3) and in pass efficiency defense (109.1 rating), 18th in pick-sixes (2) and 19th against the pass (181.6). JMU led the Sun Belt in seven of those categories. JMU held five teams to 10 points or less and 10 teams to fewer than 300 total yards.

Barnes coached DJ Barksdale to Third Team All-Sun Belt status after he made 36 tackles with 3.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions and a team-best 12 pass breakups. Barksdale ranked tied for third in the SBC in PBU and total passes defended.

The year was capped off with a Sun Belt Football Championship and the program’s first berth in the College Football Playoff.

In his first season at JMU in 2024, he was part of a defensive staff that ranked 21st in scoring defense (20.5) and 23rd in total defense (321.8). His nickels room accounted for a pair of interceptions, six breakups and a forced fumble. Barksdale had both interceptions, including a pick-six, and he was named Defensive MVP of the Boca Raton Bowl.

Prior to his first season with the Dukes, Barnes was selected for the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship with the Cleveland Browns, as he was part of the team's OTAs in May 2024.

Barnes joined the Dukes after spending three total seasons on Bob Chesney’s staff at Holy Cross, where he was cornerbacks coach in 2022 and 2023 and was in quality control roles on both defense and special teams in 2018.

During his second time around in Worcester, he helped Holy Cross to a pair of Patriot League championships and a berth in the 2022 FCS playoffs, a season in which the team went 11-0 during the regular season for the third time ever and finished with a program-best 12-1 overall record after reaching the quarterfinals for the first time in over 30 years.

Holy Cross finished the 2022 campaign with a #6 ranking as a result of numerous marquee wins, including a hail-mary victory against FBS foe Buffalo and an overtime win over ranked Fordham. Holy Cross also earned its first win versus Harvard since 2000 and defeated both Harvard and Yale in the same season for the first time.

He coached cornerback Terrence Spence to Second Team All-Patriot League honors in 2023 while corners John Smith and Devin Haskins took home all-conference accolades in 2022. Haskins was additionally an FCS All-American.

Barnes came to Holy Cross after working with the nickels and outside linebackers at Sacred Heart (2020-21). He aided the Pioneers in winning back-to-back Northeast Conference titles while advancing to the FCS playoffs, in which they faced Holy Cross in the latter of first-round appearances.

Prior to SHU, Barnes was cornerbacks coach at Assumption College in 2019. During 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-NE10 returner Joseph Kellum to his first postseason honor.

Barnes began his career at Holy Cross during the 2018 season, serving in quality control roles for defense and special teams. During that season, 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, where he played four years for the Greyhounds and helped them to three NCAA playoff appearances and a pair of Northeast-10 Conference titles. Barnes earned his bachelor’s degree in human services and rehabilitation studies.