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 Ian Barker, who spent nine seasons as an assistant in the University of Wisconsin men's program, resigned as the coach at Macalester (Minn.) on Tuesday to become the director of coaching education for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Barker was on assistant on coach Jim Launder's staff at UW from 1989 to '97, helping the Badgers earn four NCAA tournament berths – including the 1995 national championship. After four seasons as an assistant at Macalester, he led the NCAA Division III Scots to a 97-59-15 record in nine seasons.
"The opportunity to work with the NSCAA is a really special one," Barker said in a news release issued by the school. "Being in a position to meaningfully impact coaching education on a regional and national basis is a real privilege and something to put full energy in to."
Barker has an extensive coaching resume beyond the college game.
He has been a staff instructor in the U.S. Soccer coaching education program since 1999; was the director of coaching and player development for the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association from 1997 to 2007; served as an assistant for the U.S. Youth Soccer Region II boys Olympic Development Program; and for the past two years, he has been the technical director for International Sports Connection, a U.S. State Department-funded program that created a youth soccer system in Uganda.
"Ian is the perfect choice to lead the NSCAA's coaching education program to new heights," NSCAA CEO and executive director Joe Cummings said in a news release. "He brings to us extensive experience in coaching education at both the state and national level, which is complemented by his experience as a candidate and instructor in the NSCAA's coaching education system.
"His unique background provides him with the kind of perspective required to assess where soccer coaching education currently stands. This will be a valuable asset as he charts a new course that will continue to grow the NSCAA’s influence in this critical area."
Barker, a native of England who moved to the U.S. in 1987, earned his U.S. Soccer Federation "A" License in 1995 and was part of the inaugural class to receive the NSCAA Master Coach Diploma in 2006.
"Ian's resignation marks a sad day for our department and for our soccer program,” Macalester athletic director Kim Chandler said. "Ian has been an outstanding leader and soccer coach and he has been invaluable with his service to our department and to the college.
"While I am disappointed that he is leaving Mac, I am immensely happy for the opportunity that he has earned to work with the NSCAA and to direct its educational programs. This opportunity certainly exemplifies Ian's talent, his soccer knowledge and his ability to provide outstanding leadership to the organization. I wish him the absolute best." - Former UW-Milwaukee standout David Marshall (Whitefish Bay) is one of four former Panthers student-athletes who will be inducted into the Bud K. Haidet Athletics Hall of Fame Saturday before the school's men's basketball game against Valparaiso. Marshall played for the Panthers from 1993 to '96, leading the team in scoring as a senior before going on to a four-year pro career with the Milwaukee Rampage in the USL A-League.
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