msu harlon barnett – Syndication Server

Harlon Barnett will not be part of next year’s Michigan State football coaching staff.

Graham Couch of the Lansing State Journal is reporting that Barnett will not be retained by new head coach Jonathan Smith and will be coaching elsewhere in 2024. There had been rumors that Barnett would return to Michigan State for next year but that apparently has since changed.

According to Couch, Barnett was notified earlier this week by Smith that the Spartans were looking at three other candidates for the secondary assistant coach and that served as the final indication that Barnett would not be retained.

Barnett has coached at Michigan State on and off for the past 20 years, notably serving as a defensive coordinator under Mark Dantonio. Barnett served as the Spartans’ interim head coach this past season after Mel Tucker was relieved of his coaching duties. Barnett went 2-8 in his 10 games as interim head coach.

Click on the tweet below to read Couch’s full story on Barnett’s departure from Michigan State:

Harlon Barnett is leaving Michigan State and won't be part of Jonathan Smith's staff. He plans to coach elsewhere.

“After 20 football seasons at Michigan State, five as a player, 15 as a coach, my time is up,” he said.

Story:https://t.co/Fyo4aKim6d

— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) December 21, 2023

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Michigan State apparently knows who will be starting at quarterback this week but is not going to share that until Saturday.

Head coach Harlon Barnett elected to not name a starting quarterback during his weekly press conference on Monday, but he did provide a somewhat notable update. Barnett said the team knows what they are going to do at that position when they take the field against Rutgers on Saturday.

Here’s how Graham Couch of the Lansing State Journal viewed Barnett’s update on Monday:

Harlon Barnett says that they’re still evaluating the QB position. But says he’s doing a little bit of Bill Belichick (being coy), then says the QB’s have been told where they stand.

Then says, they know what they’re going to do and don’t want Rutgers to know.

So, Katin Houser.

— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) October 9, 2023

Noah Kim has started the first five games of the season but has struggled in the Spartans’ last three games — all of which they’ve lost. Kim has thrown six interceptions to only one touchdown in those three straight losses.

Kim’s struggles have resulted in many wanting the Spartans to switch things up and give freshman Katin Houser a chance at starting. Houser has appeared in only six career games and thrown 18 pass attempts.

Kickoff between Michigan State and Rutgers is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game will be televised on Big Ten Network.

Tag: msu harlon barnett

Harlon Barnett reportedly will not return to MSU next season

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