Report: FSU Football to hire Harlon Barnett as defensive coordinator

FSU football will finally make its defensive coordinator hire with the addition of Harlon Barrett from Michigan State.

FSU football head coach Willie Taggart has made his defensive coordinator selection exactly one month after taking over in Tallahassee.

Fans have been getting stir crazy with all the rumors of who he was targeting coupled with other programs making hires.

Some people were beginning to believe FSU would have to settle for just anyone, but Willie Taggart seemingly had plans A, B and C.

Bruce Feldman dropped the news Friday morning and one of the biggest questions marks about this staff is now answered.

SOURCE: #MichiganState Co-DC Harlon Barnett will become the new defensive coordinator at #FSU. Big hire for Taggart. Barnett is highly thought of by the players there and by his staff. Very impressive dude.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 5, 2018

Harlon Barrett Film Session

Thoughts

Harlon Barnett is an excellent hire for Willie Taggart who was the co-defensive coordinator for Michigan State.

He was an All-American safety at Michigan State, and played in the NFL before ultimately coaching defensive backs in college at a few spots before ultimately going back to Michigan State in 2007.

Michigan State was ranked No. 4 in the nation this season according to S&P advanced metrics, No. 41 in 2016, No. 13 in 2015 and No. 26 in 2014.

However, one must remember Michigan State doesn’t harbor anything close to the talent FSU does on its defensive roster. They were also extremely young on defense in 2016.

It’s impressive to see how Michigan State’s defense was able to rebound from a No. 41 position to top 5 in back-to-back years.

Harlon Barnett was one of the more impressive coaches I've dealt with in 3 years doing TV games for FOX.. This year, he had a D that started SIX sophomores and one true freshman, and that group ranks No. 7 in the nation in total D. #FSU https://t.co/sKexN1kX31
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 5, 2018

The video above features Michigan State players describing how they play defense along with Barnett’s philosophy and defensive back technique.

Next: Why Deondre Francois Should Be Starting QB in 2018

Barnett replaces the often criticized Charles Kelly who was not retained by Willie Taggart but looks to be joining the staff at Tennessee.

Home/FSU Football