A.J. Barnold is in his third season as the assistant coach for the Virginia men’s soccer program. Barnold’s responsibilities include all aspects of video editing and analysis, overseeing the general welfare of the Virginia men’s soccer student-athletes and assisting the coaching staff with day-to-day operations.
Prior to his move to Charlottesville, Barnold spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Lafayette. In 2014 he was elevated to first assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Leopards. Barnold was involved in all areas of the Lafayette program, including coaching, scheduling, recruiting and video and scouting analysis.
Barnold was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Muhlenberg College, from 2011-13 and began his coaching career by spending two years as an assistant at Arcadia University from 2009-11. Barnold also served as the head coach of FC Lehigh Valley United’s 1999 Boys Gold team from 2011-14.
Barnold also worked as an adjunct lecturer in the psychology department at Muhlenberg from 2011-14, teaching sport psychology.
Barnold was a three-year starter at center back and part of a pair of NCAA tournament teams during his playing career at Muhlenberg. Barnold was a First-Team All-Centennial Conference honoree and a Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll selection during his senior year in 2008. In 40 career starts on defense, he led the Mules to 19 shutouts.
He graduated Cum Laude from Muhlenberg with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2009. During his time at Arcadia, Barnold earned a master’s degree in exercise and sport psychology from Temple University.