Deion Barnes is on the move.
The former Penn State standout and rising star in the coaching ranks is reportedly leaving his alma mater to take a position on South Carolina’s staff. Barnes is expected to coach defensive ends and outside linebackers for the Gamecocks, marking the next step in a coaching journey that’s been defined by player development, recruiting chops, and a deep connection to the Nittany Lions program.
Barnes’ coaching career at Penn State began in 2020 as a graduate assistant, and in just a few years, he carved out a reputation as one of the program’s most promising young coaches. After three seasons working under former defensive line coach John Scott Jr., Barnes was promoted to the full-time role following Scott’s departure to the NFL.
That decision wasn’t made lightly. Then-head coach James Franklin interviewed a wide slate of candidates, including coaches with deep college and NFL experience, but Barnes stood out.
“We interviewed a ton of college-experienced D-line coaches and we interviewed a ton of NFL guys, and he blew them all away,” Franklin said in 2024. “It wasn’t even close. At the end of the day, it’s about production, and he’s showing he is doing that at a level some coaches go their whole career without doing.”
And the production speaks for itself. Barnes played a key role in the development of some of the most talented defensive linemen to come through Happy Valley in recent years.
That list includes No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter, first-rounder Chop Robinson, third-round pick Adisa Isaac, and five-star talent Dani Dennis-Sutton. He also worked closely with defensive tackles like Zane Durant, Dvon J-Thomas, and Coziah Izzard-players who consistently brought disruption and energy to Penn State’s front.
Barnes’ impact wasn’t limited to the field. On the recruiting trail, he helped bring in key defensive line prospects like Chaz Coleman, Xavier Gilliam, and Randy Adirika. His ability to connect with young players, especially those from Pennsylvania and the Northeast, made him an invaluable asset to the Penn State staff.
Of course, Barnes’ connection to Penn State runs much deeper than his coaching résumé. A product of Northeast High School in Philadelphia, he was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2011 and part of the program’s famed “Supa Six” class that included names like Allen Robinson, Adrian Amos, and Donovan Smith.
As a redshirt freshman in 2012, Barnes burst onto the scene with six sacks and 10 tackles for loss, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. He followed that with another strong campaign in 2014, notching 12.5 TFLs and six sacks before declaring early for the NFL Draft.
Though he went undrafted, Barnes spent time with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs, gaining experience at the professional level before returning to his high school alma mater to begin his coaching career. He eventually became Northeast’s defensive coordinator before making his way back to State College.
Now, he’s headed south to join a South Carolina program looking to bolster its defensive front with a coach who knows how to maximize talent and build relationships. For Penn State, the departure leaves another key spot to fill on Matt Campbell’s first staff. The defensive line coach position joins the running backs coach role as vacancies still needing to be addressed.
Barnes’ exit is a significant one, not just because of his technical coaching ability, but because of what he represented-a homegrown talent who returned to lift up the next generation. His departure will be felt in the locker room and on the recruiting trail, but it also underscores just how quickly his coaching stock is rising. South Carolina is getting a coach who’s not just respected, but proven.