Report: Northwestern expected to hire Harlon Barnett as DBs coach

[mshelton33]

WildcatReport - Report: Northwestern expected to hire Harlon Barnett as DBs coach

Northwestern is reportedly set to hire veteran Harlon Barnett as their next defensive backs coach.

northwestern.rivals.com

Here's our quick story on Barnett's background ahead of reportedly taking the Northwestern defensive backs coach position.

 

[CatManTrue]

WildcatReport - Report: Northwestern expected to hire Harlon Barnett as DBs coach

Northwestern is reportedly set to hire veteran Harlon Barnett as their next defensive backs coach.

northwestern.rivals.com

Here's our quick story on Barnett's background ahead of reportedly taking the Northwestern defensive backs coach position.

Is he of any relation to Gary?

 

[Hkjb]

I like this. Feels like Coach Braun is taking a clearheaded, steady approach in getting the right people around him. His age/experience also seems a good fit within a relatively young coaching staff.

 

[Jaguar 88]

Solid hire, and he will bring in top talent!!!!!!!!

 

[EvanstonCat]

Huge hire. But not understanding how this happened. Dude has more experience than the rest of the staff combined. Coach and DC under Dantonio (whose defenses are why they went to CFP). Big time recruiter. Worked with Saban. Minority hire. If Braun can recruit players like he can recruit assistants then we are going to be more than alright.

 

[NUCat320]

Huge hire. But not understanding how this happened. Dude has more experience than the rest of the staff combined. Coach and DC under Dantonio (whose defenses are why they went to CFP). Big time recruiter. Worked with Saban. Minority hire. If Braun can recruit players like he can recruit assistants then we are going to be more than alright.

It’s possible Braun is really, really, really good. It’d be cool.

 

[zeek55]

Huge hire. But not understanding how this happened. Dude has more experience than the rest of the staff combined. Coach and DC under Dantonio (whose defenses are why they went to CFP). Big time recruiter. Worked with Saban. Minority hire. If Braun can recruit players like he can recruit assistants then we are going to be more than alright.

I think a part of it is the staff upheaval over there.

He's a MSU guy through and through (played there, has coached there a couple long stints), but given all the staff changes the past couple of years, he probably wanted out even if he was offered a similar position to what Braun offered.

Looks like a solid hire given his history and given the units he coached there that were parts of successful defenses.

 

[EvanstonCat]

Here’s a taste of Coach Barnett (love being able to say that at NU again).

 

[Hkjb]

I think a part of it is the staff upheaval over there.

He's a MSU guy through and through (played there, has coached there a couple long stints), but given all the staff changes the past couple of years, he probably wanted out even if he was offered a similar position to what Braun offered.

Looks like a solid hire given his history and given the units he coached there that were parts of successful defenses.

Hank also went through the ringer before we got him - and we made out like bandits. Hopefully this proves to be a similarly successful hire. Welcome to NU, coach Barnett.

 

[Seattle_Cat]

Hired as DB coach, not defensive coordinator? Seems a huge step down.

 

[Sheffielder]

Hired as DB coach, not defensive coordinator? Seems a huge step down.

Love the hire. As to "why NU?" My assumptions:
1. He's coached against Northwestern for years and he likes what he sees from top to bottom.
2. As a follow up to #1, he's had a taste of football factory football and doesn't want to go back to it.
3. Scorched earth in East Lansing. Even if he had an offer to stay it might leave too bad a taste in his mouth at this point.
4. He sees Braun has a strong defensive coaching IQ (he might get Dantonio vibes?)

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

Hired as DB coach, not defensive coordinator? Seems a huge step down.

Assistant Head Coach.

 

[No Chores]

Assistant Head Coach.

Is that a fact Coral?

 

[stpaulcat]

Wow!

 

[jne381]

This is a fantastic hire. I am glad to see him at NU.

 

[Hkjb]

Love the hire. As to "why NU?" My assumptions:
1. He's coached against Northwestern for years and he likes what he sees from top to bottom.
2. As a follow up to #1, he's had a taste of football factory football and doesn't want to go back to it.
3. Scorched earth in East Lansing. Even if he had an offer to stay it might leave too bad a taste in his mouth at this point.
4. He sees Braun has a strong defensive coaching IQ (he might get Dantonio vibes?)

Nice list. Adding one more: East Lansing is not Chicago (or Evanston).

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

Is that a fact Coral?

Yes

 

[hdhntr1]

Assistant Head Coach.

Does a position coach get the assistant HC role or does that generally go to a coordinator?

 

[ohiovalleycat]

Does a position coach get the assistant HC role or does that generally go to a coordinator?

The Head Coach can pick any coach to be the Assistant Head Coach. There's variation in who that is:

For Ohio State, Larry Johnson is the Defensive Line Coach and Associate Head Coach

For Iowa, Seth Wallace is the Assistant Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach and Assistant Head Coach

For Kansas, Jeff Grimes is the Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach

Some schools can also choose not to have that position.

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

Does a position coach get the assistant HC role or does that generally go to a coordinator?

MacPherson was assist HC and was not a coordinator.