Kurt Barber (born January 5, 1969) is an American former football player and coach. He played professionally as was a linebacker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Barber played college football for the USC Trojans. He became a coach after his playing career.
Early life
Barber prepped at Paducah Tilghman High School where he won the Kentucky "Mr. Football" Award in 1987. He was a high school All-American as both wide receiver and linebacker.
College career
Barber graduated with a BA in communications from the 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.
Professional career
Barber was selected with the 42nd pick in the second round of the 1992 NFL draft by the New York Jets, where he played until 1995. He also played for the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears.
Coaching career
Barber began his coaching career in 1998 at Riverside Community College. He was named linebackers coach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in 2004, after having coached at the University of Tennessee at Martin, Kent State University, and the University of Utah. Barber was the offensive line coach at Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, Kentucky from 2010 to 2011. He served as head football coach at his alma mater, Paducah Tilghman High School, for one season, in 2016.
