2. Bring Harlon Barnett back
While this seemed like an option for Mark Dantonio following the 2019 season and Harlon Barnett reportedly looking for a new job — as a coordinator — it seems like a possibility that he could earn himself an interview for head coach.
And just because he’s a former Spartan player who coached for Michigan State for 11 seasons doesn’t mean that he’s automatically a good candidate, but he had a ton of success leading the defensive backs from 2007-2017. Not only that, but he’s earned the endorsement of some former players, including Tony Lippett who made it to the NFL as a defensive back.
https://twitter.com/Tony_Lippett14/status/1226940034722471937?s=20
But it wasn’t just Lippett who endorsed Barnett as a head coaching candidate in East Lansing.
Facts ‼️ Need to get Coach B back to EL @HarlonBarnett https://t.co/BrwMux32G3
— Josiah Scott (@JosiahScott7) February 10, 2020
You want somebody that’s gonna continue to set the standard for a great team CULTURE for @MSU_Football and there’s no better man for the job than @HarlonBarnett let’s pull that trigger #GoGreen
— Demetrious Cox (@i_AM_SEVEN7) February 10, 2020
I second that hell of a coach‼️Better role model @HarlonBarnett https://t.co/vFoukKxWRt
— Montez Sweat (@_sweat9) February 10, 2020
Having that many former players endorse you is a good sign and it should show the university that it could have major support from alumni with this hire. While he’s been at Florida State for the past two years, he could be a perfect fit at his former school.
Not many coaching candidates have had this kind of ringing endorsement from former players but it just goes to show how highly he’s regarded at Michigan State. This might just be the current Plan B — or it should be.