Barker boasts one of the best coaching resumes in the country.  

In 15 years, coaching professionally with Team USA Minnesota, he coached 24 U.S. National Champions, including an Olympian & 2 USATF Running Circuit Champions, 30 qualifiers for U.S. national teams competing in World Championships in cross country, indoor track, outdoor track and on the road and achieved 73 top three finishes in U.S. Championships.

In 20 years as head coach of cross country and track & field of Augsburg College, his teams achieved 164 All-MIAC performances, including 59 MIAC Champions, 54 NCAA Division III National Championship qualifiers & 17 All-Americans.

As coach of Nova Classical Academy since the program's inception in 2014, he has coached 26 Minnesota State High School Championship qualifying teams, individuals and relays, 13 All-State performances & 4 State Champions.

He is also the author of The First Season and The River Road, Becoming a Runner in 1972, a historical novel filled with compelling stories of top runners and Olympic athletes, the 1972 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials and Munich Olympics.