Michigan State’s loss will prove to be Florida State’s gain. Reportedly.
According to Bruce Feldman of Sports Illustrated and FOX Sports, Michigan State co-defensive coordinator Harlon Bennett will become the solo coordinator for Willie Taggart at Florida State. 247Sports.com subsequently confirmed the initial report, writing that “Barnett has a defensive backs background, but it’s unclear if he’ll be assigned that position along with the defensive coordinator title.”
SOURCE: #MichiganState Co-DC Harlon Barnett will become the new defensive coordinator at #FSU. Big hire for Taggart. Barnett is highly thought of by the players there and by his staff. Very impressive dude.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 5, 2018
Barnett has spent the past three seasons as the co-coordinator/defensive backs coach/associate head coach on Mark Dantonio’s Spartans staff. From 2007-14, he was the defensive backs coach at MSU.
At least at the collegiate level, the 51-year-old Barnett has never been in charge of his own defense.