Early career In 1994, Barry began his coaching career at the
University of Southern California (USC), his alma mater, first as a video coordinator for one season, before spending the 1995 season as a graduate assistant, working in particular with the defensive line. In 1996, Barry joined
Northern Arizona University as their linebackers and defensive ends coach, and would serve in that role from 1996 to 1998 before being hired as the linebackers coach at
UNLV in 1999.
San Francisco 49ers In 2000, Barry was hired by the
San Francisco 49ers as a defensive quality control coach under defensive coordinator
Jim Mora and head coach
Steve Mariucci.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (first stint) In 2001, Barry was hired by the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers as their linebackers coach under defensive coordinator
Monte Kiffin and head coach
Tony Dungy. In
2002, Barry, along with Kiffin, were retained by the Buccaneers' new head coach
Jon Gruden. That season, the Buccaneers went to
Super Bowl XXXVII and defeated the
Oakland Raiders to win their first Super Bowl title.
Detroit Lions In 2007, Barry was hired by the
Detroit Lions as their defensive coordinator under head coach
Rod Marinelli, who is also Barry's father-in-law. At a press conference on December 21, 2008, following the Lions' 42–7 loss to the
New Orleans Saints,
Detroit News sports columnist
Rob Parker addressed a question about Barry to
Rod Marinelli, inquiring whether Marinelli wished that his daughter had "married a better defensive coordinator." On January 6, 2009, the
Detroit News announced that Parker had resigned from the newspaper the previous week. Following the firing of Marinelli a week after the press conference, Barry was not retained by the Lions. The team finished the season with the first-ever 0-16 record in NFL history.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (second stint) In 2009, Barry was re-hired by the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers as their linebackers coach under defensive coordinator
Jim Bates and head coach
Raheem Morris.
USC (second stint) On January 26, 2010, Barry left Tampa Bay to coach under DC
Monte Kiffin and HC
Lane Kiffin at USC.
San Diego Chargers In 2012, Barry was hired by the
San Diego Chargers as their linebackers coach under defensive coordinator
John Pagano and head coach
Norv Turner. In 2013, Barry was retained by new Chargers head coach
Mike McCoy.
Washington Redskins In 2015, Barry was hired by the
Washington Redskins as their defensive coordinator under head coach
Jay Gruden. Following the 2016 season, Barry was fired.
Los Angeles Rams On January 14, 2017, Barry was hired by the
Los Angeles Rams as their assistant head coach and linebackers coach under new head coach
Sean McVay. McVay was with Barry as the former offensive coordinator for Washington, who was hired by the Rams two days prior.
Green Bay Packers On February 8, 2021, Barry was hired by the
Green Bay Packers as their defensive coordinator under head coach
Matt LaFleur, replacing
Mike Pettine. In his first year coordinating the unit, he developed veteran linebacker
De'Vondre Campbell, who was signed as a free agent for a $2 million contract, to First-Team All-Pro honors. His unit finished as the NFL's 9th ranked defense by yards allowed, despite missing star pass-rusher
Za'Darius Smith and star cornerback
Jaire Alexander for most of the season. During Week 11, his unit shut out
Seattle Seahawks quarterback
Russell Wilson for the first time in his career. In their
Divisional Round playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, the Packers' defense intercepted quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo once, while sacking him four times, limiting him to 3 points through 55 minutes, as the Packers led by 7. However, the Packers went on to lose 13–10 after their special teams unit allowed a blocked punt to be returned for a game-tying touchdown with 4:41 left to play. While the Packers' offense was unable to produce on the following drive and was forced to punt with 2 minutes remaining, Barry's defense was unable to come up with a final stop. After their 2023 season
Wild Card playoff game win against the Dallas Cowboys, the Packers became the first #7 seed to advance to the Divisional Round. Barry's defense held Dallas to 16 points, while Green Bay scored 41, until the end of the third quarter. Green Bay went on to narrowly lose in the
Divisional Round playoff game to the 49ers after Barry's defense gave up a 6-yard rushing touchdown from
Christian McCaffrey with 1:07 left in the fourth quarter. Green Bay had a seven point lead going into the fourth quarter. Barry was fired on January 24, 2024.
Miami Dolphins On February 19, 2024, Barry was confirmed to be hired by the
Miami Dolphins as their linebackers coach/run game coordinator under head coach
Mike McDaniel. ==Personal life==