Merritt tabs Barese as Defensive Coordinator

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University football head coach Chris Merritt announced Anthony Barese as the Bulldogs' Defensive Coordinator on Monday, February 10.

A New England native, Barese has over 13 years of coaching experience and has been a part of four conference championship staffs. At Bryant, Barese will oversee a defense that allowed 23.4 points per game in Northeast Conference play, its lowest since 2015.

"I am very excited to welcome Anthony to the Bryant football family," Merritt said. "Anthony is an outstanding defensive coach that has a proven track record of recruiting the type of student-athlete we want at Bryant. He's also had success defending several opponents on our upcoming schedules and that opponent familiarity will be vital in our seasons to come."

Barese comes to Smithfield after spending the last two seasons as the secondary coach at FCS member Holy Cross. He helped the Crusaders win the 2019 Patriot League Championship with a 5-1 league record. Barese worked with a defense that allowed just 24 points per game and intercepted 15 passes. He coached two All-Patriot League players in 2019.

"I am extremely excited to be here and I am very thankful for the opportunity that coach Merritt has provided," Barese said. "I am excited to build off of the foundation that has already been set and I look forward to getting to know not only the football student-athletes, but the entire athletic community. Having grown up in the area, I am very familiar with Bryant and the outstanding academic and athletic tradition it has."

Prior to his time at Holy Cross, Barese spent 10 seasons on the coaching staff at Assumption College (2008-17). He served as the Greyhounds defensive coordinator from 2014-17, helping the team to an overall record of 38-11 and three trips to the NCAA playoffs during that time.

Barese's defense ranked first in the nation in interceptions and fifth in sacks in 2017. The Greyhounds tied their program record with 11 victories and advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals for the first time in school history. In 2016, he led a defense that ranked second in the nation in pass efficiency defense, fourth in passing yards allowed and 11th in total yards allowed. Barese coached 18 All-Northeast-10 selections during his four seasons as the defensive coordinator.  

Barese also served as Assumption's linebackers coach from 2008-13, with seven linebackers earning All-Northeast-10 honors during that time. He also served as the team's recruiting coordinator from 2011-17.

Prior to his time at Assumption, he served as an assistant coach at St. Anselm College for two years, acting as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 2007 and the defensive line coach in 2006.

Barese is a 2005 graduate of St. Anselm with a bachelor's degree in English. He played linebacker for the Hawks during his time as an undergraduate, serving as team captain during his senior year.