Barrett will be entering his 27th year as the Cowboy and Cowgirl Throwing Coach/Strength Coach for Throws at the University of Wyoming Track and Field Program.
Barrett has coached 2 NCAA Champions, 22 All – Americans, and 36 Conference Champions during his time at Wyoming. He has also had 49 conference Runner-Ups and a total of 127 All-Conference (Top 3) award winners while at Wyoming. Top athletes coached by Barrett at Wyoming include 3 Time All-American Daniel Reynolds who recently won the 2025 NCAA 35lb Weight Throw Championships with an NCAA Meet Record and #2 All Time NCAA History Performance of 25.08m (82’ 3.50”) along with UW Hammer and Shot Put Records = 239’ 5” / 64’ 1.75”), 1996 NCAA Champion Ryan Butler in the 35lb Weight Throw (71’ 1.5”) as well as All American in the Hammer: (217’ 4”), All American, 2016 Olympian, and 2018 World Championships Bronze Medalist Mason Finley in the Discus/Shot Put/35lb Weight (210’ 6” – 66’ 3.25” – 63’ 8.75”), All-American Matt Spears in the Shot Put (61’ 5.5”), All-American Jason Hammond in the 35lb/Hammer/Shot Put (69’ 1.5”- 221’ 1”- 61’ 10.25”), All-American Andrea Batt in the Javelin/Shot Put/Discus/20lb (168’ 8” – 53’ 4.25” – 167’ 8” – 64’ 10.50”), All American Jake Shanklin in the 35lb/Hammer: (71’ 10.25”/219’ 11”) , Olympic Trials competitor and UW School record holder Kate Burton in the Hammer/20lb/Discus (209’ 8” – 63’ 11.50” – 158’ 5”), All-American Zack Schaefer in the 35lb/Hammer (68’ 6” – 213’ 10”), All-American Kyle Herl in the Hammer/35lb/Shot Put (219’10” – 67’ 5.50” – 59’ 11.75”),
While at the University of Kentucky (1997-1999), he coached 2 time All-American Matt Kavanaugh, who placed 7th in the Hammer Throw (221’ 4” PR - Still Current UK School Record) at the 1999 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Kavanaugh was the 3rd best American finisher in that event.
Barrett competed at the college level for Washington State University, where he was a WSU Letterman / PAC-10 finalist in the Hammer throw and consistent dual meet scorer for the Cougars in the Discus and Javelin events as well. He finished up his senior year at WSU ranked 25th in the NCAA and 45th in the USA in the Hammer Throw. Barrett also competed for Spokane Community College before transferring to Washington State University, where he was a 2 time NWAACC Conference Champion in the Discus throw as well as 1 Time Champion in the Hammer throw, qualifying him as a 3 Time Juco All American. In April of 2013 Barrett was inducted into the Community Colleges of Spokane Hall of Fame for his achievements during his SCC Career. Competing for Class A Okanogan, WA High School, Barrett was the State Champion in the Discus Throw, and State Runner-up in the Javelin Throw in 1985. Barrett still owns Okanogan School Records in both events at 174’ 0” and 196’ 10”. Barrett stays competitive by competing in Masters Track and Field competitions. In a competition in April 2003, he set an American Record in the Throws Pentathlon for the 35-39 age group, which is currently ranked 8th All Time on the World All Time Rankings.
Barrett graduated from Washington State University in 1991 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Leisure Studies (Sport Management Emphasis) Paul has 2 children; Daughters Kala and Kelsey.
