"We're excited about getting Kurt on staff. He's going to bring a wealth of experience as both a player and coach at different levels that's going to benefit our present players but also give us some exposure to pro scouts," Thomas said. "He's going to be an excellent fit as a man for this university and these guys, and an excellent fit as a coach for our program."

Barber, who has coached linebackers or defensive line his entire career, will focus on the offensive line this season along with offensive coordinator Chris Pardue. Barber's first interest in Campbellsville was simply to enroll at the CU Louisville campus to earn his master's degree in special education, but when a friend suggested he check on a coaching position with Thomas, things began to fall in to place.

"Coach Thomas has put together a great staff, and I'm extremely excited about being on the other side of the ball, just learning and being a sponge to soak it all up," Barber said. "(Switching to offense) is invigorating. I get to go out to clinics and talk to other coaches to learn - a lot the stuff you did as a younger coach that you sometimes quit doing once you develop your own philosophies and style for the position."

Barber comes to CU after a one-year stint at Western Kentucky University as the defensive line coach. He returned to his home state in 2008 as the defensive coordinator at Kentucky State after three years at UNLV, where he served as co-defensive coordinator. One of his most notable stops in his career was serving as linebackers coach for Urban Meyer at the University of Utah in 2003 and 2004, as the Utes won back-to-back Mountain West Conference championships. In 2004, Utah capped an undefeated season with a Tostitos Fiesta Bowl victory over Pittsburgh.

"It was just unbelievable to be a part of that (2004) team. That accomplishment was unreal for me," Barber said. "It was a great ride. Not only in the undefeated season, but the year prior, the players took over the team. They knew what was expected and went above and beyond the call of duty."

Barber has watched only game film on Campbellsville so far, but believes the Tigers are on track to carry out their "Over the Top" theme.

"Coach Thomas is a very good motivator. He's got a really good history of getting the best out of his players and staff," Barber said. "They've got a great game plan, and some talented kids. I see them improving on what they've already done here."

A native of Paducah, Ky., Barber was named Kentucky's Mr. Football in 1987 and went on to play four years for the USC Trojans. Following an All-PAC 10 Conference season at outside linebacker, Barber graduated in 1992 with a degree in communications and was taken in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft (42^nd overall pick) by the New York Jets. He played five seasons with the Jets before spending the 1997 season with the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears.

He began his collegiate coaching career in 1998 at Riverside Community College in California, coaching defensive line and coordinating the strength and conditioning program. He then moved on to consecutive two-year stints at the University of Tennessee-Martin and Kent State coaching the defensive line before joining the Utah staff in 2003.

Barber has three daughters, Erica, Briahna and Nia, and two sons, Kurt II and Khoury.

Another new hire for the 2010 staff was former Tiger captain and quarterback Josh Dye, who joined the staff this summer. Dye, who has coached at the Unversity of the Cumberlands and Bethel College, will serve as the safeties and monsters coach for his alma mater.

Position shifts that have occurred include Pardue moving to coaching the offensive line instead of quarterbacks. Joe Stockton, who previously coaches the O-Line, will take over for Estes and coach the tight ends. Wide receivers coach Rick Gehres and assistant head coach/running backs coach Jim Hardy will divide working with the quarterbacks. Linebackers coach Tim Rogers has been named the Special Teams Coordinator after Ron Barnard left in the spring to become the head coach at Marshall County High School.