Bio
Tyler Barnes enters his first season as the University of Iowa’s chief of staff and general manager. Barnes will retain his focus on recruiting for the football program while also serving as the main contact for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities between the program and interested parties.
He was named director of recruiting in April, 2016, and also serves as NFL liaison for the program. Barnes previously served on the Iowa staff in student assistant (2009-10), graduate assistant (2011), and administrative assistant (2012) capacities. Barnes has a lead role in all aspects of prospect identification, assisting the coaching staff in off-campus recruiting efforts, and coordinating all aspects of on-campus recruiting activities.
In 2023, the Hawkeyes won 10 games, including their final four, to capture the Big Ten West Division for the second time in three years. Iowa advanced to another January bowl game (Citrus Bowl) and finished the season ranked No. 24. The Hawkeyes have been ranked in the final AP Top 25 five of the last six seasons.
Iowa’s streak of 11 straight bowl invitations is the longest in school history and its streak of 11 straight winning seasons ranks seventh best among power conferences. The Hawkeyes have earned 25 conference victories between 2020-23, matching its highest four-year conference win total in program history (1982-85 and 2002-05).
Iowa won eight contests in 2022, concluding the season with a 21-0 win over Kentucky in the Music City Bowl and wins in five of its final six games.
The Hawkeyes won 10 games in 2021, winning the Big Ten West Division title and advancing to the conference championship game. Iowa concluded the season with an appearance in the Citrus Bowl and was ranked 23rd in the final national rankings.
Following back-to-back narrow losses to open the 2020 season, Iowa won its final six games, all in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes were ranked 15th in the final CFP rankings and Coaches Poll and 16th by the AP.
Iowa won 47 games from 2015-19, the highest total in school history over any five-year period, and a total that ranked ninth nationally. Iowa won its final four games in 2019 and ranked 15th in the final Associated Press and coaches polls.
The Hawkeyes concluded the 2019 campaign with a 10-3 record following a 49-24 rout over No. 22 USC in the Holiday Bowl. The three losses were all to ranked opponents by a combined 14 points. Iowa was 4-1 in trophy games for the third straight season.
Iowa completed 2018 with nine wins and a final AP ranking of No. 25. The Hawkeyes earned a 27-22 Outback Bowl win over No. 18 Mississippi State to close the season with three straight wins. The four losses came by a total of 23 points and all were decided in the final minutes of play. Iowa tied for second in the Big Ten West Division.
The Hawkeyes posted a perfect 12-0 regular season record in 2015, winning the Big Ten West Division. Iowa participated in the 2016 Rose Bowl Game and the 2015 Big Ten Championship and ended the season in the top 10 in the final national rankings.
Iowa’s most recent bowl game invitations include the 2024 Citrus Bowl, 2022 Music City Bowl, 2022 Citrus Bowl, 2020 Music City Bowl, 2019 Holiday Bowl, 2019 Outback Bowl, 2017 Outback Bowl, 2017 Pinstripe Bowl, 2016 Rose Bowl Game, 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl and 2014 Outback Bowl.
Barnes rejoined the Iowa staff after serving on the Vanderbilt University football staff for three years. He held the position of director of player personnel for two years after serving as co-recruiting coordinator in 2013.
In his previous roles at Iowa, Barnes assisted the coaching staff in compiling statistical information, and gathering information on opponents and recruits, while assisting in the day-to-day operations of the football program. He has also assisted with Iowa football camps and coaching clinics.
Barnes earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in 2009, with a double major in finance and sports studies. He earned his master’s degree from Iowa in recreation and sports management in 2011.
Barnes is a native of Decatur, Illinois, and a graduate of MacArthur HS.
He was born May 14, 1985, in Peoria, Illinois. Tyler and his wife, Joanne, have two daughters, Blakely and Bella, and a son, Beckett.