Harlon Barnett will not be joining Jonathan Smith’s staff at Michigan State
As Jonathan Smith puts the finishing touches to his Michigan State football staff, an MSU spokesperson confirmed to Spartans Illustrated that Harlon Barnett will not be retained on the MSU staff.
The story was first reported by the Lansing State Journal's Graham Couch.
"When I met with (Smith) Monday, it was freeing,” Barnett said in the LSJ report. “I know now and that's good. I wasn't sure if God still wanted me to stay here at Michigan State or not. … I feel great. Like, I was lighter. I didn't realize I had a weight on me. But when he did that, I just felt different, like ‘Yep, it's time to move.’ ”
Barnett‘s Spartan journey began in 1986, as a three-year starter for George Perles. He received All-American honors, as well as team captain his senior year.
He was drafted to the Cleveland Browns in the 1990 NFL draft, playing seven seasons in the league.
After several coaching jobs, in 2007, Barnett returned to his alma mater, coaching MSU’s defensive backs for 11 seasons under Mark Dantonio.
After a two-year stint as defensive coordinator at Florida State, Barnett once again returned to the MSU staff in 2020.
Harlon Barnett’s time in East Lansing —as a player, as a coach to the “No Fly Zone” secondary — will mostly be defined by the sudden responsibility laid at his feet this season.
A program was turned on its head over night.
Barnett was selected to take over the MSU Football as interim head coach early this past fall. In time, I believe this will be looked back on as his greatest hour.
His overall record as head coach stands at 2-8, yet the ship was righted, and the keys handed over to Jonathan Smith, program still intact.
As Spartans Illustrated's Chase Glasser put it,
Barnett, in the end, absorbed the wrath of a fan base hurt and looking to channel that pain, anywhere, and at anyone.
Much of that anger fell at the feet of Barnett.
Barnett had hoped to be considered for the head coaching job. He believed he could have made it work. But ultimately, his time at MSU has come to an end.
A Spartan Warrior, no less.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Join the discussion on this article in our premium forums by clicking here.
You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Threads, TikTok, and Instagram.
For video content, including our Red Cedar Radar podcast, find us on YouTube and consider subscribing.