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Houston Barber Hometown: Frankfort, Ky. Position: Assistant Coach - Distance Experience: 1st year Alma Mater: Marquette '98

Houston Barber has rejoined the U of L coaching staff this season as the distance coach for the men's cross country and track teams. He was an assistant with the women's squad two years ago.

"Houston's addition is significant," said Weis. "He is a former C-USA standout and is recognized and accepted as a top young coaching talent. He's very well organized and has a great rapport with the kids. He brings a great deal to the table and it goes without saying that we're delighted to have him."

In 2001, Barber guided the Cardinal women to a successful campaign during both the cross country and track seasons. During the fall, U of L captured the Cardinal Classic, the program's first cross country team title in five years, before capping off the year with a seventh-place finish at the Conference USA Championships. He trained the Cards to peak at the right time as all eight runners recorded personal-best times in the 6000m race at conference.

In the spring of 2002, Barber coached C-USA 1500m champion Alicia Cavender, who also set the school's 800m record and ran the school's second fastest 1500m time ever that spring.

Prior to coming to U of L, Barber coached three years at South Oldham High School. In his first track season at SOHS, he coached a state champion in both the 1600m and 3200m events.

The following year, Barber led the boys cross country team to the 2000 state championship and a ranking of seventh in the South Region. For his efforts, he was named Kentucky Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Overall Coach of the Year.

A former president of KTCCCA (1999-2000), Barber's teams won six individual and relay state titles in track during his tenure, including a record-setting performance in the girls 4x800m relay event in 2001.

Barber earned all-conference honors four times in cross country at Marquette University, finishing runner-up twice at the conference meet. He was named MVP three times and All-National Catholic Cross Country twice during his collegiate career. Barber capped off his career with a victory in the mile run at the 1997 Conference USA Indoor Championships with a time of 4:12.29, helping Marquette to a second-place finish.

A native of Frankfort, Ky., Barber set the state high school record in the 1600m in 1994. He also won the Founder's Cup Award at the prestigious Golden West Invitational and was named Pepsi Academic-Athlete of the Year.

Barber is married to the former Darra Jarrett.