Penn State is losing a rising star on its coaching staff, and this one’s headed to the SEC.
Defensive line coach Deion Barnes is expected to take over as South Carolina’s new defensive ends and outside linebackers coach, marking a significant addition to Shane Beamer’s staff. Barnes has been a key piece of Penn State’s defensive identity over the past few seasons, and his departure leaves a notable void in Happy Valley.
At just 32 years old, Barnes has built an impressive résumé in a short span. After joining the Nittany Lions’ staff in 2020, he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the full-time defensive line coach three years ago. Since then, he’s been instrumental in developing one of the most feared front sevens in college football.
Look back at 2023, and you’ll see the fingerprints of Barnes all over a defensive end room that featured Chop Robinson, Adisa Isaac, and Dani Dennis-Sutton - a trio that, at their peak, made a strong case as the best DE group in the country. Their combination of speed, strength, and discipline made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks, and Barnes was the one guiding that development from the trenches.
Then came the bold move in 2024 - shifting Abdul Carter from linebacker to defensive end. It was a risk, but one that paid off in a big way.
Carter thrived in the new role, showcasing elite burst and pass-rush instincts that eventually propelled him to the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft, where he landed with the New York Giants. That kind of transformation doesn’t happen without coaching - and Barnes was at the heart of it.
This past season, Barnes continued to show his knack for developing young talent. True freshmen Chaz Coleman and Yvan Kemajou both flashed real potential, hinting at what could have been another dominant unit under his guidance. He also played a key role in the growth of Zane Durant, who became a steady force at defensive tackle.
Barnes becomes the second Penn State assistant to join South Carolina this cycle, following former running backs coach Stan Drayton. He’s also the third Nittany Lions assistant to head to the SEC, with former offensive line coach Phil Trautwein returning to Florida, his alma mater.
Drayton and Trautwein are still expected to coach Penn State in the upcoming Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson, which kicks off Saturday, Dec. 27 at noon ET on ABC from Yankee Stadium. As for Barnes, it’s still unclear whether he’ll be on the sidelines for that game.
With all the movement, here’s a quick rundown of the Penn State assistants who won’t be back in 2026:
- Danny O’Brien (QB coach) - Headed to Virginia Tech in the same role
- Ty Howle (TE coach) - Taking over as offensive coordinator at Virginia Tech
- Marques Hagans (WR coach) - Destination still to be determined
Losing Barnes is more than just a coaching change - it’s the departure of a young, dynamic developer of talent who connected with players and consistently got results. South Carolina is getting a coach on the rise. For Penn State, the challenge now is finding someone who can maintain the standard Barnes helped set in the trenches.