Joe Barry enters his third season as the Rams’ assistant head coach/linebackers in 2019 and his first season also serving as front coordinator.
Taking over the on-field communication for Barry’s unit in 2018, third-year LB Cory Littleton put together a career year with a team-leading 125 tackles, 4.0 sacks, three interceptions and 13 passes defensed, the most by any linebacker in the NFL a season ago. A core special teamer, Littleton’s defensive production didn’t hinder him from his special teams’ roles, as Littleton earned his first-career Pro Bowl accolades as a special teamer.
In his first season with the Rams, Barry oversaw a linebacking corps that saw Alec Ogletree (128) and Mark Barron (108) each post over 100 tackles. Ogletree led the Rams in tackles for the fourth time in the previous five seasons. Barron’s three interceptions were tied for the most on the team in 2017 and were tied for the most in the NFL amongst linebackers.
Under Barry’s leadership, outside linebackers Connor Barwin and Samson Ebukam each were able to carve out a role in the Rams defense in their first season with the organization, combining for 7.0 sacks between the pair.
Prior to joining the Rams, Barry spent the previous two seasons as the Washington Redskins’ defensive coordinator. In 2016, Barry’s defense had two players finish in the top-10 in the NFC in sacks, including LB Ryan Kerrigan, whose 11.0 sacks ranked eighth in the NFL. His first season in Washington saw Barry’s defense record 26 takeaways in the final 14 weeks of the regular season, ranking in a tie for third in the NFL.
Before joining Washington in 2015, Barry spent three seasons as the linebackers coach of the San Diego Chargers. In his first season with the Chargers in 2012, Barry’s linebackers were part of a unit that tied for sixth in the AFC in sacks.
Prior to his time in San Diego, Barry returned to his alma mater for his second stint at USC. For two seasons from 2010-11, Barry was the linebackers coach for the Trojans. Barry helped tutor LB Malcolm Smith, who went on to be named MVP of Super Bowl XLVIII. Additionally, following the 2012 season, Barry saw another one of his USC linebackers – Nick Perry – become a first-round draft pick by the Packers.
Barry came to USC after one season as the linebackers coach of the Buccaneers in 2009, his second stint in Tampa Bay.
From 2007-08, Barry was the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions. In 2007, the Lions’ defense ranked third in the NFL in takeaways. Additionally in 2007, LBs Ernie Sims and Paris Lenon led the Detroit defense in tackles, each recording more than 115 on the season.
In 2001, Barry began his first stop with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the club’s linebackers coach through 2006. In his six seasons with the Buccaneers, Barry’s linebackers helped the defense to allow the fewest passing yards per game, and rank second in fewest yards allowed per game and second-fewest points allowed per game. Barry helped Tampa Bay linebackers earn seven Pro Bowl berths in his six seasons.
Barry’s second season in Tampa Bay saw his linebacker unit help the club to its first Super Bowl in franchise history as well as LB Derrick Brooks being named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year.
In 2000, Barry got his start in the NFL as defensive quality control coach for the San Francisco 49ers. Prior to his NFL coaching career, Barry was on the defensive coaching staff at UNLV (1999) and Northern Arizona (1996-98).
Barry began his coaching career at his alma mater, USC, serving as the Trojans’ graduate assistant/defensive line coach for the 1995 season. Following that season, DE Israel Ifeanyi was a second-round draft pick.
Barry was a linebacker at Michigan for two seasons, before transferring to USC for his final three seasons from 1991-93.
Barry and his wife, Chris, are the parents of four children – daughters, Camryn and Lauren and sons, Nick and Sam. Camryn is a member of the Penn State swimming team.
