A familiar face is returning to Seattle Reign, as the club announced today that Lauren (Lu) Barnes will become an interim assistant coach for the rest of the 2026 NWSL season. Barnes replaces assistant coach Lee Nguyen, who departed last month to become the head coach and technical director of Dallas Trinity FC in the USL Gainbridge Super League.
Reign officials confirmed that Barnes' interim title is primarily because Nguyen's transition happened quickly, and the Reign had to fill the gap to ensure the club was compliant with league regulations on minimum coaching staff numbers. They were fortunate to have someone in Barnes who knew the club's culture and identity well and had the coaching certification required by the league. In addition, the Reign have a rigorous process for hiring new coaching and technical staff — and they plan to go through that full process in the offseason. It's possible Barnes will enjoy the role and will be the best candidate for that permanent assistant coach position, but the club wants to be fair to both Barnes and their process.
"There are very few people who understand what this club is about the way Lu does," said head coach Laura Harvey in a team release. "She helped build the standards and culture that have defined this organization for more than a decade. She's been a leader throughout her career and has always been invested in supporting the players around her. We're thrilled to welcome her back and know she'll be a valuable addition to our staff."
The 37-year-old Barnes holds a US Soccer "B" Coaching License, which she earned in 2022 through a league initiative to prepare more players for post-playing careers in the sport. She joined the club for training earlier in the month and will be on the bench with the rest of the coaching staff for the Reign's game on Saturday at Bay FC.
Barnes, who retired at the end of the 2025 NWSL season, was named assistant girls ECNL Director at Seattle United in February. She also played three games for USL W club Salmon Bay FC, who won the national championship 10 days ago. Barnes is also a part of the Salmon Bay ownership group.
Steve Voght
The Reign legend spent her entire 13-year NWSL career in Seattle. She finished her playing career as the NWSL record holder in appearances (252), starts (241), and regular-season minutes played (21,109). She was NWSL Defender of the Year in 2016, made the NWSL Best XI in 2015 and 2016 and the Second XI in 2014 and 2019, and was a significant contributor to the team’s three NWSL Shields.
At her retirement press conference, Barnes talked about how much she loves the Reign and the city of Seattle — and her desire to continue to help grow the club.
“I want to be a part of this growing club as much as I possibly can. I feel like I have still so much to give. I gave all I could on the field. And the next chapter for me is to continue that fight in whatever it looks like, and I've been so fortunate that this club will allow that and wants that and sees that – we’re aligned on that. So yeah, I don't know what exactly it looks like yet, but I hope to stay here – this is home.”
Susie Rantz
Beyond the stats, Barnes was one of the key leaders who set the culture that has become synonymous with the Reign — a culture that is welcoming, inclusive, and committed to personal growth and accountability. Her teammates also said that Barnes saw the field better than anyone. It was like having another coach on the field during games. Barnes now gets to bring those talents to the Reign in an official coaching role.
"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to return to this club in a coaching role," said Barnes in the release. "Seattle has been my home for more than a decade. This organization has meant so much to me throughout my career, which is what makes this opportunity so special. I'm excited to continue learning alongside Laura and the staff while supporting our players and look forward to getting back on the field and helping this team compete every day."
Barnes graduated from UCLA in 2010 and was originally drafted in 2011 by the Philadelphia Independence of Women’s Professional Soccer but did not make an appearance for the club. After that league folded, she spent 2012 coaching in Southern California before joining the Reign.
