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How Harlon Barnett rekindled his love for Michigan State football a fourth time

Michigan State Spartans football coach Mel Tucker speaks to the media on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in East Lansing. Detroit Free Press

It did not take much to convince Harlon Barnett to return to East Lansing.

Again.

First, he came as a player. Then as a radio announcer. Then as an assistant coach for Mark Dantonio and eventually his co-defensive coordinator.

Which brings us to Barnett’s fourth stop with Michigan State’s football program. It only took one phone call from Mel Tucker — whom Barnett barely knew — to get him home.