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Mike Barela begins his first season on the Texas State coaching staff in a dual role, serving as the program's Director of Football Operations as well as coaching the Bobcats' tight ends.
Barela has extensive experience in both collegiate football team management as well as coaching. Prior to joining the Texas State staff, Barela served as the Director of Football Operations for the past five years at North Texas. Prior to joining the UNT staff in 2002, he coached tight ends two seasons at Southland Conference member Sam Houston State.
While a member of the Mean Green staff, Barela was responsible for organizing team travel and team housing as well as coordinating official recruiting visits. He had extensive involvement in the day-to-day schedules of the coaching staff and student-athletes including practices, study halls and team meetings. He also worked with the Mean Green Summer Football Camps and was the community liaison for the program.
During his tenure, Barela played an integral role in North Texas' preparation and travel to the 2002-2004 New Orleans Bowls. The Mean Green defeated Cincinnati 24-19 in the 2002 New Orleans Bowl. UNT went on to win three straight Sun Belt Conference Championships during Barela's five seasons.
Barela coached First-Team All-America tight end Keith Heinrich during the 2000 and 2001 football seasons at Sam Houston State. Heinrich would go on to be the sixth-round pick of the Carolina Panthers in the 2002 NFL Draft.
During his two seasons with Sam Houston State, Barela was part of a Sam Houston State program which was a combined 17-7. The Bearkats were 10-3 mark in 2001 and captured a share of the Southland Conference championship.
Barela's coaching experience also includes time at Morningside College (1999) where he was the offensive line coach as well as strength and conditioning coach. At Morningside, he was also the running game coordinator and helped produce two all-conference players.
Barela was a student assistant and graduate assistant coach at North Texas from 1996-98 working with the tight ends and offensive line.
He was a two-year letterman at North Texas, playing linebacker as well as special teams for the 1994 and 1995 UNT squads. The Mean Green captured a Southland Conference title in 1994, the team's final year in the league.
Barela earned his bachelor's degree from North Texas in 1997.
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