It is no secret that Harlon Barnett is the ultimate Spartan. After playing for MSU from 1986 to 1989, he went on to have a nice NFL career before getting into coaching. In his coaching career, he has spent 2007 to 2017 and 2020 to now as a member of the Spartans coaching staff.
Barnett did a great job keeping the train on the tracks after the debacle that unfolded after the Mel Tucker news came to light.
While he was not selected to be the next head coach of MSU football, Graham Couch of Lansing State Journal has shared that Barnett will potentially be staying in East Lansing (in an unknown role) unless a head coaching opportunity elsewhere presents itself:
Clarity from Harlon Barnett: He now says he “possibly” has the opportunity to stay at MSU, but needs to talk with Jonathan Smith first.
My hunch is he stays. Would make a lot of sense for Smith. But that’s different than it originally seemed. Apologies for any confusion.
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) November 25, 2023