Michigan State football: Former players endorse Harlon Barnett for HC
Former Michigan State football players have been pushing for the hiring of Harlon Barnett as the next head coach of the Spartans.
The coaching search has not gone the way Michigan State would have hoped to this point. Getting turned away by Luke Fickell after Robert Saleh, Mel Tucker and Pat Narduzzi took their names out of the race was a gut-punch, but the search must go on as Bill Beekman is tasked with finding Mark Dantonio’s replacement.
And it can’t just be any replacement or the program will be set back about 15 years to the John L. Smith era. It must be the right candidate.
Many are worried that the athletic department will promote within and that would likely mean Mike Tressel would get promoted from defensive coordinator on an interim basis for at least the 2020 season but there’s some rumblings around the fan base and with former players about the possibility of bringing back a familiar face.
Who? Former Michigan State co-defensive coordinator, defensive backs coach and associate head coach (as well as former player) Harlon Barnett.
The former coordinator under Dantonio left following the 2017 season to become the defensive coordinator at Florida State under Willie Taggart and even though that flamed out in Tallahassee, most of that was due to the poor attitude and culture of the head coach who was fired during the middle of the 2019 campaign.
That means Barnett is open for hire and his former players from Darqueze Dennard to Joe Bachie to even Montez Sweat have vouched their support for him on social media.
The fact that Coach B is not even mentioned in the search and given a chance to come back as a Head Coach and alum is beyond me. Starting a petition with my fellow Spartan Dawgs... #InHarlonWeTrust @traviskey @A_Henderson31 pic.twitter.com/5redrsqDqo
— Otis Wiley, II (@Owiley21) February 10, 2020
https://twitter.com/DeAnthonyArnett/status/1226916855593492485?s=20
https://twitter.com/Tony_Lippett14/status/1226940034722471937?s=20
https://twitter.com/Ike58Reese/status/1227010333988048897?s=20
https://twitter.com/M_Rush44/status/1227004191580794881?s=20
Harlon Barnett is the BEST candidate for the Head Coaching job for MSU. He has integrity, character, most importantly he’s invested with this university. SpartanFamily let’s make this happen ! pic.twitter.com/daHCPCpqK1
— Darqueze Dennard (@Queze) February 10, 2020
https://twitter.com/JoshButlerTv/status/1226996830275358721?s=20
Harlon Barnett needs to be strongly considered for the @MSU_Football head coach job! #SpartanDAWG pic.twitter.com/D0RFHvDaaa
— Mitch White (@DBCoachWhite) February 10, 2020
Last thing I’ll say is @HarlonBarnett is the compete opposite of a “players coach”. He’s the most “I don’t want to disappoint this man” Coach I’ve ever been around. You better give 110% effort on & off the field & do things the right way or you won’t be playing for this man.
— Darien Harris (@darienAharris) February 11, 2020
https://twitter.com/LawrenceLThomas/status/1227016890553393152?s=20
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
Facts ‼️ Need to get Coach B back to EL @HarlonBarnett https://t.co/BrwMux32G3
— Josiah Scott (@JosiahScott7) February 10, 2020
If anyone is fit to fill the shoes of the great Mark Dantonio it has to be Harlon Barnett!! This guy personifies character, hard work and commitment all of the qualities fit for a champion! Spartan nation would be blessed to have this great guy leading our future Spartans!
— denicos allen (@D_ALLEN_28) February 11, 2020
dark. Next. 3 head coaching options post-Luke Fickell news
Will Barnett get a call from Michigan State for an interview? There seems to be plenty of smoke and pressure from former players to make the move.