Daily Pilot Chalkboard Series: Bim Barry

Tony Altobelli

From a walk-on coach 12 years ago to today, Newport Harbor High’s

boys cross country coach Bim Barry has come to the conclusion on one very

important philosophy.

“The more you know, the more you don’t know,” Barry admitted. “Each

year I learn something new and it’s a never-ending gathering of knowledge

for me.”

And it has been at Newport Harbor where Barry, 37, has gathered the

most knowledge. First, as a student and athlete for the Class of the 1981

Sailors, then later as a coach.

“Coaching at Newport has been outstanding,” he said. “Being at my alma

mater has allowed me to give something back. It’s also a great coaching

environment. I can talk with (volleyball coach) Dan Glenn or (football

coach) Jeff Brinkley and pick at their brains for knowledge. I’d put

Newport Harbor against any school in the country as far as coaches go.”

Barry was born in Oceanside, but was raised in the Newport Beach area.

“I went to Ensign, went to Newport and I think I still own the record

at the frosh/soph level for the two-mile run,” Barry said. I hung ‘em up

after high school, however, to pursue the almighty dollar.”

From Newport Harbor, Barry went to USC. “I majored in business and

that became a high priority for me,” he said.

Barry went back to running to get back into shape when he found out

there was an opening at Newport Harbor for a boys cross country coach.

“It seemed like it would be a perfect fit for me, so I went after it,”

Barry said. “I didn’t realize that I would still be coaching to this

day.”

It was girls coach Eric Tweit who helped Barry out during those early

years. “Eric is still trying to teach me stuff,” Barry said. “Some of his

points I have taken to heart and there are some points that I know he’s

right on, but I’m too stubborn to try to fix. But I’m trying.”

The biggest thing, according to Barry, is the ability to stay as close

to an even level on the emotional scale whenever possible, which

sometimes isn’t all that easy.

“That’s a lesson I haven’t fully learned,” he admitted. “It’s

important to minimize the highs and lows when it comes to coaching.”

But without that emotion the job just wouldn’t be the same.

“I try to coach the way I would want to be coached,” Barry said.

“Getting together with each athlete, I try to figure out what goals they

are trying to accomplish. Whether it’s breaking an eight-minute mile for

the first time or going for a state championship, I try to help them

reach each milestone.

“I think I’ve gotten more flexible in my coaching than I used to be,”

Barry continued. “Some days are harder than others, but that’s the case

in any job.”

That’s the best thing about coaching cross country and track,

according to the former editor of the Ensign Junior High School

newspaper, the SeaBee Buzz.

“In some sports, you can’t always tell or properly evaluate how much

an athlete is improving or not improving,” Barry said. “In track, it’s

you, the athlete and the clock. If the time goes down, they’re getting

better. Plus, it’s a sport that anyone can participate in.”

When he’s not on the track, Barry teaches computer applications, web

design and journalism at Newport.

“It’s just a great school to be a part of,” he said.

Still using his business book smarts from USC, Barry will continue to

coach “As long as I can afford to.”

Barry is single and lives in Costa Mesa.