Michigan State co-defensive coordinator u200bHarlon Barnett will become the new defensive coordinator at Florida State University, a source told SI.
The 51-year-old Barnett, who spent a decade in the NFL as a defensive back, is leaving his alma mater to join Willie Taggart’s staff. Barnett had been with Mark Dantonio since 2004, first at Cincinnati and then at MSU since 2007. Over that time Barnett has emerged as one of the top secondary coaches in football and turned numerous lower-rated recruits into NFL players, including two first-rounders in Darqueze Dennard and Trae Waynes. Barnett helped the MSU defense, which started six sophomores and one true freshman, emerge as one of the nation’s best this season, ranking No.