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 strong 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.
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 respected women’s programs in the state of Virginia. In the past few years alone, the Monarchs have made incredible strides, capturing unique Back-to-back championship honors. In 2022 ODU women’s Soccer lifted their first ever Sun Belt Championship, winning the conference tournament in their first year in the league. Just 12 months prior, Barr was part of the staff that led the Monarchs to a memorable 13-5-1 overall season, and in Conference play they were crowned regular season C-USA Champions as well as emphatically also winning the C-USA tournament. In the past three years the Monarchs been automatic qualifiers and competed in the NCAA tournament.
As a key part of a highly experienced staff, Michelle brings her experience and passion across various key program areas. On the field, Barr works closely to develop the defensive line, one of the consistently high performing aspects of the Monarch teams’ success. Other responsibilities in the program include individual player development, liaison for athletic development, planning and implementation of training sessions, scouting, and ongoing recruitment both domestically and internationally.
The 2023 campaign saw the Monarchs roar out of the gate holding the opposition scoreless for over 540 minutes to begin the year, setting a school record. ODU won its third straight conference title, second consecutive Sun Belt crown, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third year in a row ending with a record of 13-3-5.
Ece Turkoglu became the first ODU player to earn All-American honors as she was named to the United Soccer Coaches Association Third Team All-American squad. She and Emily Bredek were named to the All-Sun Belt Conference team, while both also earned All-Region honors. ODU had five players receiving All-Sun Belt Tournament honors: Andrea Balcazar Algarin, Thalia Morisi, Anessa Arndt and Malia Mariano along with Turkoglu.
In the classroom, the Monarchs more than held their own as Turkoglu was named to the United Soccer Coaches Association First Team Scholar All-American and was joined on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team by Morisi, Rhea Kijowski, Gry Boe Thrysoe, Anna Torslov and Megan Watts.
The 2022 season produced a historic end to the Monarchs first year back in Sun Belt Conference as they were crowned Tournament champions and secured, for the second year running, the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. With a 9-9-3 record, which saw a slow start to the campaign they found form, and the back of the net, at the right time to make history as Back-to-Back champions across two different conferences. Ece Turkoglu and Carla Morich led the Monarchs with First Team all-conference, all-tournament team, all-region and all-district recognition.
The 2021 season proved a breakthrough season for ODU and Barr was instrumental in helping push the team to win the Conference USA Regular Season Championship with a 6-1-1 record in conference play. The Monarchs would go on to win the programs first ever Conference USA Tournament Championship and clinch an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Monarchs navigated conference play in dominant fashion, conceding only two goals in all eleven of their conference matches. The Monarchs would end the 2021 season with a national RPI of 52, the highest national ranking in program history. The 2021 season also saw the Monarchs receive votes in the United Soccer Coaches national top 25 poll, along with a final regional ranking of fifth in the South region. The Monarchs would finish the season with a record of 13-5-1.
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 represented her country with 87 contest appearances. Barr brings valuable wealth of playing experience from across Europe and the United States. Barr played professionally in England, Iceland, USA, and most recently as a player-coach with Rangers FC in Scotland.
Barr holds the NSCAA National Diploma, UEFA ‘A’ License, as well as the Scottish Football Association Children and Youth pathway. Barr has also obtained strength and conditioning qualifications from the UKSCA and has served as a National Scout.
A 2008 graduate of Loughborough College in Leicestershire, England, Barr received her Bachelor of Arts honors degree in Sports Development and Leisure Management.