Barber is a 1988 graduate of Paducah Tilghman. He won Kentucky's “Mr. Football” award his senior season and was named a High School All-American at both wide receiver and linebacker.
After high school, Barber starred at University of Southern California, where he was All-Pac-10 as a linebacker. He was a starter as a junior and senior and was a four-year letter winner.
Barber was selected with the 42nd pick in the 2nd round of the 1992 NFL Draft by the New York Jets where he played until 1995. In addition to the Jets, Barber also played for the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears.
Barber began his coaching career in 1998 as an assistant at Riverside Community College in California. From there, he had assistant coaching stops at UT-Martin, Kentucky State University, University of Utah, UNLV, Kent State, Western Kentucky University and, most recently, Campbellsville University, where he was offensive line coach.
Barber takes over at Tilghman for Mike Rogers, who resigned earlier this month after two seasons. The Blue Tornado finished 8-4 this past season.