The Gridiron Foundation mourns the passing of Coach Michael Barry, our beloved lead Offensive Line coach for the 2022 to 2024 training seasons. Coach Barry brought his vast expertise to Gridiron athletes of all ages—from youth and middle school players to high school standouts and even college-age former participants who returned during breaks and summers to train under his guidance.
A former center who played college football at Nebraska and Southern Illinois, Coach Barry enjoyed a distinguished coaching career. He began at Carbondale Community High School and Fenwick High School before moving on to Southern Illinois, Arizona, Iowa State, USC, NC State, the University of Colorado, and the University of Tennessee. He won NCAA National Championships with Colorado in 1990 and Tennessee in 1998, earning SEC Offensive Line Coach of the Year honors that same season. He also coached the San Antonio Gunslingers and Portland Breakers of the USFL and served as Offensive Line Coach for the Detroit Lions in the NFL.
Coach Barry's legacy continues through his son, Joe Barry, currently the linebackers coach for the Miami Dolphins and a veteran NFL assistant with prior stops including the Los Angeles Rams, Washington Redskins, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, San Diego Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and San Francisco 49ers.
"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mike Barry. He was truly a one-of-a-kind individual who touched and influenced countless lives throughout his coaching career. Mike was the best Offensive Line (OL) coach I ever had the pleasure of working with. He possessed a commanding personality and will forever be remembered for the strong relationships he built over his years of coaching. He will be greatly missed by everyone who was blessed to have known him."
— Lance Scheib, Director of Operations, Gridiron Foundation
"Coach Barry was an 'old-school' coach who did it his way. He absolutely loved coaching and brought high energy and commitment to every training session. He was a throwback coach that stressed mental toughness, preparation, and discipline in mastering details while at the same time being a grandpa-like figure that would lovingly crack jokes and have all the players laughing while learning. He did a great job bringing years of professional experience, and he will be dearly missed by all of the Gridiron Foundation family, including our supporters, staff, coaches, players, and parents."
— JC Boice, Director of Player Development, Gridiron Foundation
Taking over as our lead Offensive Line coach in 2025 is Coach Jared Thomas, a former three-year starter at Northwestern University and professional Offensive Line Center in the UFL. Coach Thomas will continue the tradition, offering training from December through July.
"Coach Barry was a walking example of being and living the truth in everything he did, considering the world of counterfeits that we live in. I'm eternally grateful to Coach Barry for welcoming me to Gridiron with open arms and teaching me through communication and mentorship. He won't be forgotten and will be sorely missed."
— Coach Jared Thomas, Lead Offensive Line Coach, Gridiron Foundation
We extend our deepest condolences to the Barry family. Coach Barry's impact on the Gridiron Foundation will endure.
Gridiron Foundation
www.gridiron.org