[1] Barbier began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater, Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero, Louisiana from 1983 to 1988.
[2] His first head coaching position was at Hahnville High School in Boutte, Louisiana from 1989 to 1994 where he won two LHSAA state championships in 1992 and 1994.
[4] Barbier served as the head football coach at Nicholls State University from 1995 to 1998, compiling a record of 17 wins and 28 losses.
[5][6][7] Barbier was given the Eddie Robinson Award in 1996 as the top coach in NCAA Division I-AA football when he guided the Colonels to an 8–4 record and a berth in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, where his team lost their first-round game.
[1][8] The 1996 turnaround came one season after Nicholls State finished 0–11 and in last place in the Southland Conference.