Blaze Barista was hired by the University of Central Arkansas in January 2025. He graduated from Wheaton Warrerville HS in Illinois. He earned his Bachelor’s in Sports Marketing and Management from the University of Dubuque in 2020 and earned his Masters in Sports Management from the University of Dubuque in 2022.
Barista was a four year starter as defensive back at the University of Dubuque.
Barista started coaching at the University of Dubuque as the OLB’s coach from 2020 to 2022. He then came to UCA as the assistant OLB coach from 2022 to 2023. He then went to the Citadel where he was the safeties coach from 2023 to 2024 before returning to UCA as the safeties coach.Â
As a player, Barista earned Second Team All-American by the AFCA his senior year. He was a finalist for the Oiff Harris Award in 2019. During his time at the University of Dubuque he was the Male Athlete of the Year in 2019.
As a coach, he was a part of the 2022 ASUN Championship team. He has coached an All-Conference player back in 2024 (Safety, Dan Poole), a freshman All-American in 2023 (OLB, DaVonyue Pettis), and a 1st Team All-ASUN in 2022 (Defensive End, Logan Jessup)
POSITION:
DATE HIRED AT UCA:
EDUCATION:
PLAYING HISTORY:
COACHING HISTORY:
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University of Dubuque (2020-2022)
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University of Central Arkansas (2022-2023)
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Citadel Bulldogs (2023-2024)
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University of Arkansas (present)
PLAYING/COACHING HIGHLIGHTS:
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COLLEGE:
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Second Team All-American by AFCA and the Associated Press
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Finalist for Oiff Harris Award
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University of Dubuque Male Athlete of the Year
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COACHING
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Part of 2022 ASUN Championship team
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Coached an All Conference player 2024
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Coached a freshman All American 2023
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Coached a 1st Team All ASUN 2022
FAMILY:
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Mother: Vina Barista
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Father: Bob Barista
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Sister: Olivia Barista
