Bio

RECRUITING AREAS: Pennsylvania (East of Harrisburg), Northern New Jersey

Anthony Barese begins his sixth season as the defensive coordinator in the fall of 2024. The fall of 2024 will mark is his fourth as assistant head coach.  

In 2023, Barese helped the defense cause 24 turnovers, which ranked second in the conference and 10th in the nation. It was also the highest total in DI program history. He also helped Kenny Dyson Jr., Lake Ellis, and Michael Otty be named to the All-Conference teams. Dyson made the first team, and Otty and Ellis earned second team. The defense had 11 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries.

One of the best defensive minds in New England, Barese guided one of the nation's best defenses in his first season in Smithfield in the spring of 2021. Bryant finished the year ranked first nationally in total defense (220.8), second in passing defense (109.5) and fourth in scoring defense (14.5). The Bulldogs were one of the best teams in the country on third downs (.292) and limited opponents to just 51 first downs on the year (10th nationally). Chid Nna was named the the NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year, while Jack Daly and Andre Brackett also earned All-NEC honors as part of Barese's defense. 

Bryant's defense continued to excel in the fall of 2021, finishing the season ranked in the top 30 in scoring defense, rushing defense and total defense. Barese's defense was led by All-NEC First Team selections Jack Daly, Ryan Saddler and Joe Andreessen. Daly was the key cog in Bryant's front four, while Saddler and Andreessen combined to make 171.0 tackles. Bryant finished 13th nationally in third down defense, holding teams to just 31.1 percent on the year. Barese's defense also featured six players that earned All-NEC honors from Phil Steele, including first teamers Andreessen, Saddler and Dyson Jr.

In 2022, Barese's defense featured two of the best linebackers in program history as Andreessen and Saddler both earned All-Big South honors. Andreessen would enjoy one of the best seasons in program history, collecting a a single-season program record 116.0 tackles. He was named First Team All-Big South and a Second Team STATS FCS and AP All-American.

Barese came 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.

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.