“Barnie” Barnhill began his football career as a player (guard) for UT in 1925–27. He was Tennessee’s freshman coach (1931–34) and offensive line coach (1935–40) before becoming head coach—a position he held from 1941 to 1945 during the absence of Robert Neyland during World War II. During his tenure as head coach, his teams were 32-5-2.
In 1946, after Neyland’s return to Tennessee, the University of Arkansas hired Barnhill as both head football coach and athletic director. He gave up the head coaching position in 1949 after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He continued as athletic director at Arkansas until 1971 and was responsible for hiring legendary Arkansas head football coach Frank Broyles, who ultimately replaced him as athletic director.
Barnhill Arena, the former men’s basketball and current women’s athletic facility at the University of Arkansas, is named for him. Barnhill is a member of both the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.