John Barnes spent 28 years building one of Minnesota’s most respected swimming programs at Saint Thomas Academy, accumulating over 200 wins and leading his team to their 700th dual meet victory along the way. His program claimed multiple Metro East Conference titles and MSHSL Class A championships — but Barnes will tell you the wins were never the point.

His coaching philosophy is simple and unapologetic: Family — School — Swimming. In that order. Barnes believes the pool is where boys become competitors, teammates become brothers, and hard work becomes a way of life. Every practice, every set, every sacrifice is in service of something bigger than a best time.

The results speak for themselves — 2018 National Coach of the Year, 4-Time Minnesota State Coach of the Year, and the 2025 NISCA Outstanding Service Award for national leadership and contributions. But ask Barnes and he’ll tell you the real measure is the young men who leave his program ready for whatever comes next.

Wisdom of Barnes — Pointless Ideas of an Old School Guy is his attempt to pass it on.