What seemed like a logical return to Michigan State has become official for Harlon Barnett.
The school has announced that former Michigan State defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett has been hired by Mel Tucker as his defensive backs coach.
Barnett coached the defensive backs his entire 11 years under Mark Dantonio at MSU, and was promoted to assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator prior to the 2015 Cotton Bowl. He was named associate head coach in 2017.
“I’ve known Harlon Barnett for more than 20 years,” said Mel Tucker in a release from the school. “He’s a fantastic coach and recruiter, and really connects with his players. He’s a man of character and family is very important to him. He’s a true Spartan and we’re happy to have him back here in East Lansing.”
Barnett left Michigan State after the 2017 season to take the defensive coordinator position under Willie Taggart at Florida State. Barnett was not retained after Taggart was fired during the 2019 season.
Barnett has coached nine Spartan defensive backs that were selected in the NFL Draft, including two first-rounders (Darqueze Dennard, No. 24, Cincinnati Bengals, 2014; Trae Waynes, No. 11, Minnesota Vikings, 2015). Dennard won the Thorpe award as the nation’s top defensive back at the conclusion of the 2013 season.
