Michelle Barr serves as the Associate Head Coach for ODU Women’s Soccer and was promoted to this role in 2017 following three previous years as assistant coach. On her appointment Head Coach Angie Hind said “This promotion to Associate Head Coach reflects the experience and commitment level Michelle brings every single day and recognizes the positive impact her expertise and dedication has had on this program. She has a lot of experience at two elite Division I programs and this has allowed her to take responsibility in key areas of our program, especially our recruiting and athlete development, both of which we have grown tremendously in. I'm excited for the continued contribution Michelle will make to ODU women's soccer and our aim of taking this team competitively to the next level.”
Barr joined the Monarch family in 2014 after spending three years in her native Scotland developing the women’s soccer game at the Scottish Football Association as a National Youth Coach responsible for the Scottish National U15, U16 and U19 teams. During this time, Barr identified and developed some of the best young talent across Scotland and was instrumental in the establishment of regional performance schools and training centers which form the basis of National player selection.
During her time at ODU, Barr has helped develop the program from strength to strength and has influenced the rise to now be one of the most successful women’s programs in the region and nationally recognized and respected as a top 50 program.
Since 2021, ODU Women's soccer has won no fewer than 6 titles including back-to-back tournament Championships in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
In the past 5 years Barr has helped lead ODU to a 2021 C-USA Regular season Championship and Tournament title which saw the Monarchs head back to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 15 years. 2022 saw the Monarchs shift to the Sun Belt Conference and in their first year were crowned Sun Belt tournament champions. The following season Barr was instrumental in the Monarchs again dominating to win both the East Region title and the 2023 Sunbelt tournament Championship, as well as their 3rd consecutive visit to the NCAA National tournament, and a historical 35 National ranking. In 2025 the Monarchs again claimed the East Region title and a top 50 ranking.
As a key part of a highly experienced staff, Michelle brings her elite soccer background and passion across various key program areas. On the field, Barr specializes in the defensive unit of the team and has developed ODU into one of the top defenses statistically in the nation. In the past 5 seasons Barr has coached a defense that has produced 47 shut outs over 100 competitive games. Additionally under her guidance ODU have produced three All-Conference Defenders of the year recipients, two all-Region and one All-American (Jackie Stroud, Emily Roberts, and Ashlynn Kulha respectively)
As Associate Head Coach, Barr is also responsible for individual athlete development for the full squad using her background in strength and conditioning to oversee the athletic development of each athlete. She also directs the individual technical development program across the squad which includes player evaluations, program design and on-field implementation.
Barr has remained connected to the Scottish FA and has served as a National team Scout, most recently as part of the analysis team at the 2019 FIFA Women's world Cup in France. At ODU she leads the opponent analysis and scouting as well as serving as the recruiting coordinator for the Monarchs which includes the strategic recruitment of top talent both domestically and internationally.
Prior to ODU, Barr spent five years as the assistant coach at Dartmouth College in the Ivy League. During her time with the Big Green, she helped the team to a 47-31-6 record, an appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2005 and a national ranking as high as No.13 in the nation in 2006.
As a former Scottish National Team defender for over a 10-year period, Barr Captained her country and represented Scotland with 87 appearances. Barr brings a wealth of playing experience at the highest level from all across Europe and the United States having played professionally in England with Leeds Utd and Doncaster Belles; in Iceland for IBV; with Miami Gliders and Boston Renegades in the USA; and most recently as a player-coach with Rangers FC in Scotland.
Barr holds the UEFA ‘A’ License, as well as the Scottish Football Association certification in the Children and Youth pathway. Barr also has extensive experience in personal training and athlete development and obtained her strength and conditioning qualifications from the UKSCA.
A 2008 graduate of Loughborough College in Leicestershire, England, Barr received her Bachelor of Arts 1st class honors degree in Sports Development and Leisure Management.