Farrar hired as USM’s Director of Player Development/Recruiting Strategy

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (USM Athletics) — Southern Miss football coach Charles Huff announced the hiring of Barney Farrar as Director of Player Development/Recruiting Strategy.

Farrar returns to Southern Miss for his second stint with the football program, joining the Golden Eagle staff as tight ends coach in 2008 and held that spot for three seasons, before transitioning into the school’s head of player development for the 2011 campaign where he was in charge of building and maintaining relationships at the high school level. The 2011 squad finished 12-2, won the Conference USA championship and finished No. 19 in the final Associated Press Poll.

During his initial stint in Hattiesburg, he was named by Rivals.com as one of the top “Non-Big Six” Recruiters of the Year for the class of 2010 and was one of only four C-USA coaches selected. 

The Kossuth, Miss., native returns to Southern Miss after completing three seasons as defensive backs coach/recruiting coordinator for the Holmes Community College, as well as serving as co-defensive coordinator in his final two years.

The stop at Holmes came after working at the linebackers coach for two seasons and the cornerbacks coach for another two seasons at Jones College.

Farrar joined the Bobcats after six successful seasons at Ole Miss as a lead recruiter and Assistant Athletics Director for High School and Junior College Relations.

He played a vital role in recruiting for the Rebels, which helped Ole Miss land four straight top-15 signing classes, including the 2013 and 2016 hauls that ranked top five in the nation. His contributions also helped Ole Miss reach four straight bowls, including back-to-back New Year’s Six games. 

Prior to his first stint at Southern Miss, Farrar had stops at Iowa State, Rice, Clemson and Ole Miss.

He played his collegiate football at Northeast Mississippi Community College and Delta State. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1983 and a master’s degree in physical education in 1985, both from DSU.

Farrar has a son, Clint, and a daughter, Cari.