MIKE BARRY - Offensive Line

Known as an outstanding offensive line coach, Mike Barry is in his fourth season at USC. He came to Troy in January of 1993.

He is in charge of one of the traditionally preeminent units in college football (there have been 26 first team All-American offensive linemen at USC since 1964 and 19 Trojan offensive linemen have been first round NFL draft picks since 1968).

In 1995, USC offensive tackle John Michels made the All-Pac-10 first team and was a first round NFL draft choice.

In 1994, Trojan offensive tackle Tony Boselli was a consensus All-American and a first round NFL draft choice (the No. 2 pick).

In 1993, Barry had the unique opportunity of being a coach on a team that included his son, Joe, who was an inside linebacker. This year, Joe is serving alongside Mike on USC's coaching staff as a defensive assistant (he was Troy's video coordinator in 1994).

Barry, 49, has 24 years of coaching experience. He came to USC after serving as the interior offensive line coach at Colorado for 6 seasons (1987-92). He tutored the entire line in 1991. Colorado won the national championship in 1990.

He began his coaching career as an assistant for 5 years (1972-76) at his prep alma mater, Fenwick High in Oak Park, Ill.

His first collegiate coaching experience was at his college alma mater, Southern Illinois, as the offensive line coach for 3 seasons (1977-79). He then was the offensive line coach at Arizona for 4 years (1980-83) under former USC coach Larry Smith.

Barry then worked in pro football for 2 years, first as the offensive line coach and offensive coordinator for the USFL's San Antonio Gunslingers (1984), then as the line coach with the New Orleans/Portland Breakers (1985). He returned to the college ranks in 1986 as the offensive line coach at Iowa State.

Barry was a 2-year starting center at Southern Illinois (he spent his first 2 years of college at Nebraska). He earned 2 degrees from SIU: a bachelor's in physical education in 1969 and a master's in recreation and special education in 1972.

Born Oct. 18, 1946, he starred in 3 sports at Fenwick High.

Besides son Joe, 26, Mike has a daughter, Courtney, 20.

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