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Ashburn, Va. – The Washington Redskins announced today that they have named Joe Barry as Defensive Coordinator.
The Redskins also interviewed three assistants from the San Francisco 49ers for the job; defensive backs coach Ed Donatell, tight ends coach Eric Mangini and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. As well they interviewed the well-respected, defensive-minded, multiple-team defensive coordinator and head coach Wade Phillips, former Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast and their own secondary coach Raheem Morris.
A day before the announcement about Barry’s hiring, there was speculation — and some reporting — that Fangio would be new leader of the Redskins’ defense. But, even after visiting with the front office of Washington, he decided to go work for the Chicago Bears and their new head coach, John Fox.
Barry is entering his 14th NFL season, including his third as a defensive coordinator. He has been a member of a defensive staff that has finished in the Top 10 in total defense five times, including No. 1 overall in 2002 and 2005. Under Barry, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks was named the 2002 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
The new DC most recently served as linebackers coach for the San Diego Chargers from 2012-14. Prior to his tenure in San Diego, he was the linebackers coach for Southern California from 2010-11. He helped mold linebacker Malcolm Smith into a 2011 draft selection who eventually went on to become the MVP of Super Bowl XLVIII.
Barry returned to Tampa Bay for his second stint with the team in 2009, again serving as the linebackers coach under current Redskins defensive backs coach Raheem Morris who was then the head coach. During his first tenure with Tampa Bay from 2001-06 the defense allowed the least passing yards per game (177.2), the second-lowest yards per game (285.7) and the second-fewest points per game (17.4). In addition, Buccaneers linebackers were named to the Pro Bowl seven times in his first six seasons. In 2002, he helped lead the Buccaneers to their first Super Bowl (XXXVII) championship in franchise history.
Barry served as the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions from 2007-08, where he led units that ranked tied for third in the NFL in takeaways (37) in 2007 and 10th in sacks per pass play in 2008. His NFL coaching career began in San Francisco in 2000, serving as a defensive quality control coach.
Barry began his prep career at Ames (Ia.) H.S. before finishing at Fairview H.S. in Boulder, Colo. Barry played linebacker at Michigan from 1989-90 before transferring to USC in 1991, earning varsity letters in the 1992 and ‘93 seasons. He began his coaching career for the Trojans in 1995. In 1996, he joined the Northern Arizona staff, coaching linebackers and defensive ends for three seasons. Barry was then hired to coach linebackers at Nevada-Las Vegas in 1999.
Barry and his wife, Chris, have two daughters, Camryn and Lauren, and twin sons, Nick and Sam.
BARRY FOOTBALL TIMELINE
2012-14: Linebackers, San Diego Chargers
2010-11: Linebackers, Southern California
2009: Linebackers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2007-08: Defensive Coordinator, Detroit Lions
2001-06: Linebackers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2000: Defensive Quality Control, San Francisco 49ers
1999: Linebackers, Nevada-Las Vegas
1996-98: Linebackers/Defensive Ends, Northern Arizona
1995: Graduate Assistant/Defensive Line, Southern California
1991-93: Linebacker, Southern California
1989-90: Linebacker, Michigan
Hail.
