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After double-digit victories in five of the last six seasons behind one of the nation’s best defensive units, it was no surprise that former Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi accepted a head coaching position elsewhere this offseason.
Narduzzi is now the head coach at the University of Pittsburgh after being pursued by the University of Connecticut the previous season. Mark Dantonio quickly announced the promotion of defensive backs coach Harlon Barnett to the defensive coordinator position and added the title of assistant head coach to his name as well.
The dual promotion likely means that Dantonio views Barnett as the most ready to eventually take on a head coaching position in the future. Depending on how long Dantonio plans on coaching, Barnett could be a lead candidate for the MSU head coaching position in the future.
Barnett knows Michigan State better than anyone on the current staff. He played for MSU from 1986-89, earning All-American honors as a senior defensive back and team captain.
Barnett was drafted in the fourth round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns and played there for three seasons. He then went on to play for the New England Patriots (93-94) and Minnesota Vikings (95-96) before retiring from the NFL.
Dantonio hired Barnett as his secondary coach at the University of Cincinnati in 2004, after Barnett was a graduate assistant on the 2003 LSU national championship team.
While the defensive backs coach at Michigan State, Barnett has coached two first-round draft picks at the cornerback position in Darqueze Dennard (2013) and Trae Waynes (2014).
Michigan State’s defensive scheme relies heavily on its cornerbacks being able to shutdown opposing wide receivers one-on-one, while safeties either cover third and fourth wide receivers or come up in run support. That system has worked recently with two NFL-caliber cornerbacks on the roster, but as last season proved, the results aren’t the same without elite-level play at the position.
Mylan Hicks was a solid cornerback last season. However, against top competition, like Ohio State and Oregon, he was exposed. The promotion of Barnett will allow the former MSU defensive back to put his own stamp on the “No Fly Zone” in East Lansing and make the necessary adjustments to a (sometimes) bullheaded philosophy under Narduzzi.
Without previous experience as a defensive coordinator it’s difficult to project what, if any, changes Barnett will make to the defensive playbook for the Spartans. I believe Barnett will implement more zone schemes than previously seen under Narduzzi with more stress being put on the defensive front seven to create a pass rush.
With potentially two new starting cornerbacks and one safety in the secondary this fall, Barnett will likely have to make changes in how the “No Fly Zone” conducts its business.
If recent success is any indication, I expect the Michigan State defense to not miss a beat under Barnett. Add in the recent recruiting success that the Spartans have enjoyed and fans should be optimistic about what Barnett might accomplish for Michigan State in the future.
Josh VanDyke covers the Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Red Wings, and Green Bay Packers for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter.
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