Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Football Update: Cornerbacks Coach Harlon Barnett Media Teleconference Transcript
4/15/2020 5:03:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State cornerbacks coach Harlon Barnett answered questions from reporters on a media teleconference on Wednesday afternoon. Barnett shared his thoughts about returning to Michigan State, coaching the secondary alongside Mike Tressel, and working with the new defensive staff.
A transcript from the call is below:
Michigan State Cornerbacks Coach Harlon Barnett
On returning back to East Lansing…
It was awesome. Just to get the call from Coach Tucker, first of all, was awesome. To be able to come back home, so to speak, and be back wearing the Green and White. I'm excited, my family is excited and we're very happy to be back.
On when the initial conversation with Coach Tucker first took place…
The initial conversation was actually the day before you saw me at the Breslin Center; that Friday morning I got a call from Coach Tucker and it wasn't a very long call. He was like 'you should come up here and be our secondary coach,' and I said 'absolutely.' I said 'when should I leave here' and he said 'as soon as you can get here' – all right, no problem. Next thing you know I was flying out the Saturday morning and I was there for that game that evening.
On the other new coaches relying on him and the coaches who had been at MSU in the past…
Myself, Mike (Tressel) and Ron (Burton) as well and I'll still speak up on the guys that I still know about and have either coached or recruited. They rely on all three of us quite a bit especially when we're having our defensive meetings and we're talking about guys what they are and who they are. Even at that though, looking at it from the other side of Coach Hazelton and Coach Els and the guys that haven't been here, you still want to see for yourself. That's something that they're going to... they listen to us and what we're saying about kids, watch film, but they still want to be able to learn for themselves as well.
On how he's different now as a coach after leaving Michigan State…
I think so. There are some things that I picked up down there (Florida State) even though it wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I always tell people this, even though it didn't go the way I thought it was going to go, it went exactly the way God thought it was going to go. My pastor down there he said, God never says 'Oops.' I didn't know that was going to happen; He knew it was going to happen, but it wasn't the way that we had planned, but there were some things that I definitely picked up down there that I think is going to help me in the future as far as going forward in my coaching career. Sharing it is another thing; debating on saying what it was in particular just because. The way we recruited down there was a little different and being down there in the South recruiting you could pick up some things and learn some different things. That probably would be the number one thing, I would say.
On his new role in coaching cornerbacks and working relationship in the secondary with Mike Tressel…
That was kind of why we actually ended up this way - because of Mike's and I relationship, working together, we've worked together for 14 straight years. We know one another, we feed off of one another. I think our strengths and weakness work well off of one another. There's no ego there. Mike's like a brother to me; I remember saying that to those guys after we've worked together so long – I think about the Rose Bowl year in 2013. I remember telling Pat (Narduzzi) and Mike and them you know Mike and I connected for life; we're like brothers now. Along with Coach Burton for that matter. We had coached together for so long so it's been a smooth transition. I think it's going to be great. We're both motivated guys being coordinators before. We're looking to make the secondary extremely successful and guys playing their butts off.
On his early impressions of defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton and having multiple defensive coordinators on staff, with himself, Coach Hazelton and Coach Tressel…
Ross (Els) was a coordinator as well at Purdue I think, if I'm not mistaken. Scottie is a really good dude. I like him a lot. There's no ego there. Everybody has an ego, we all have an ego, but it's not to the point where it's my way or the highway. He's open to suggestions and things that will help all of us be better as coaches and as a defense. I think he's a great guy – I love him. We're talking all the time, we're working more now than we were in the building, to be honest, because we're meeting defensively almost every day – almost every morning with multiple hours on Zoom, we're all getting to know each other, we're laughing and learning at the same time; he's a great guy.
On reconnecting with guys he recruited…
It was great to reconnect with those guys. Haven't had a chance to really watch practice film. Got some feedback from Coach Tressel and Coach Burton about what they've been like since they've been here so far. I did tell the kids when I met with them when I first got back here that whatever it's been; the slate is clean, the slate is clean. You've got to prove me wrong, I'm going to believe what I see. Those guys I think have the potential to be really good football players; that's why we recruited them here. They're looking for a chance to show what they can do. They know they've got a fresh slate, so to speak. We weren't able to go this spring like we wanted to; that's okay, they'll be able to hopefully have a chance in the fall.
On what he sees in Julian Barnett…
Well you know before I left, he was being recruited as a cornerback anyway. Julian and I knew each other pretty well. I think he can be an excellent cornerback. He's long, he's big, he can run and that's what he was recruited here to do anyhow. I know he's happy to be back on that side of the ball and I expect big things from Julian. There is no relation that we know of, in case you guys were wondering (laughing).
On his relationship with Mel Tucker prior to getting the phone call…
I didn't know Mel very well at all; in passing, it's kind of like how my relationship with Coach Dantonio was. They were on the staff with Coach Saban here back in the mid-90's, obviously Coach D was the DB coach and Mel was a graduate student but in '98-'99, I was the sideline reporter for Michigan State football. I thought I was going to be on ESPN by now – some of you guys know that story (laughing). So I got the chance to get to know those guys. Mel was just that one year in '98 and Coach D those two years that I was here but then I was doing that broadcasting so that was when I first met them. Then over the years, just being in the profession, you see guys down the road recruiting, you talk to different guys who know guys, friend of a friend. I remember when we were here, one year we all went over to Chicago when Mel was the defensive coordinator with the Bears and one summer we went over there and did some staff development. I've seen him over the years and got to talk with him over the years and that's kind of how it's been built. We know mutual people and so I think that was part of it more than anything.
On having staff that came from the Nick Saban path and how the shared vision of football helps the transition…
I think it definitely helps a lot because a lot of us speak the same language, have the same type of work ethic. Scottie hasn't been under that tree and that was a little, I think, I don't want to get in Coach Tucker's head but on purpose a little bit is that just learning another way to do things. Scottie comes from under that Gus Bradley deal, Monte Kiffin deal defense. We were all interested in learning that scheme anyway; the legion of boom stuff. Kind of learning that along with what Coach Tucker brings to the table and what he's done and his past. We've got a lot of defensive minds on the staff and hopefully it will translate onto the field; it will and our guys are going to play fast, physical and aggressive.
On how he can know that the players are doing the drills and conditioning he wants them to do...
That's a tough one because they can always say they're doing something or maybe send a quick clip or something like that. It's really going to be on them; it's about trust and accountability. You know when you have a really good team when guys come back here all in shape, ready to go. Nobody will probably be in tip-top shape, let's be honest. You're going to see the team we have and the character of our team by how they come back as far as their conditioning is concerned and how much they've been working. They said they've been working, we give them things to do and talk to them about doing certain things, but it's all about trust and honesty and guys doing what they say they're going to do.
On returning to East Lansing for the third time in his life and three eras…
That's funny that you ask that question because I remember the first time after graduating from here, my wife and I always used to say, because we met here at Michigan State, we'll leave State at State; that's our college years and probably would never live here and when we come back to visit; it was just like normal alumni would do. Then the next thing you know we're back with Coach D after many, many, many years and we enjoyed ourselves here; we really did. Then to come back this time was even more welcoming in some aspects, just based off of how the prior two years went. We're excited to be back – it's a great place, a great college town. Always really loved the East Lansing, Lansing area from the time I first came up here on my official visit back in 1985.
On trying to develop and get a number one cornerback on the field…
I see a good room. We're working with some guys that have the ability to get it done and it's just a matter of coaching them up, building their confidence and knowing that they can get it done. I'm very fortunate in a lot of ways to be able to have the corners themselves because we have the entire room which I've had my entire career, corners and safeties do different things so now to specifically hone in on just what the corners do, their technique and what they are supposed to do technique-wise and really locking in on it and being efficient in everything they do, I'm excited about it, I really am, because corners are a very unique position. I tell the guys this and you can check for history sake, but I tell the corners this – in order to be a great defense, you got to have two great corners. Most of all, you have two great corners on the team at any level, high school, college, pro, your defense has a chance to be really, really good because when you can lock down the edges, there's other stuff that you're able to do with the other nine guys on the field. I'm already talking to the guys like this, putting that in their minds, that hey, if we're excellent at corner, we're going to be an excellent defense. When we have two great corners, I don't mean just two, I mean the two that I have out on the field at that particular time. They all know that they have opportunities to go out and show what they can do; we say best players play. We want to be great at corner for this year's team and beyond.
On connecting with guys like Angelo Grose…
I did get a chance to meet with Angelo, he was obviously one of the guys that I really didn't know well prior to coming in. He and Tate Hallock; those are the two that I didn't know as well. I know you may say 'well, what about Darius Snow?' Well I was talking to Darius quite a bit when I was down at Florida State. He and I would talk all the time. I felt like I knew him pretty well. But Angelo and Tate were the two that I didn't know quite as well that were already enrolled and in the room. We've got a chance to talk and build a relationship and continue to do so. He's a good kid; my understanding a tough kid, plays hard. I did go back and watch film; he's a good football player and I'm glad he's here.
A transcript from the call is below:
Michigan State Cornerbacks Coach Harlon Barnett
On returning back to East Lansing…
It was awesome. Just to get the call from Coach Tucker, first of all, was awesome. To be able to come back home, so to speak, and be back wearing the Green and White. I'm excited, my family is excited and we're very happy to be back.
On when the initial conversation with Coach Tucker first took place…
The initial conversation was actually the day before you saw me at the Breslin Center; that Friday morning I got a call from Coach Tucker and it wasn't a very long call. He was like 'you should come up here and be our secondary coach,' and I said 'absolutely.' I said 'when should I leave here' and he said 'as soon as you can get here' – all right, no problem. Next thing you know I was flying out the Saturday morning and I was there for that game that evening.
On the other new coaches relying on him and the coaches who had been at MSU in the past…
Myself, Mike (Tressel) and Ron (Burton) as well and I'll still speak up on the guys that I still know about and have either coached or recruited. They rely on all three of us quite a bit especially when we're having our defensive meetings and we're talking about guys what they are and who they are. Even at that though, looking at it from the other side of Coach Hazelton and Coach Els and the guys that haven't been here, you still want to see for yourself. That's something that they're going to... they listen to us and what we're saying about kids, watch film, but they still want to be able to learn for themselves as well.
On how he's different now as a coach after leaving Michigan State…
I think so. There are some things that I picked up down there (Florida State) even though it wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I always tell people this, even though it didn't go the way I thought it was going to go, it went exactly the way God thought it was going to go. My pastor down there he said, God never says 'Oops.' I didn't know that was going to happen; He knew it was going to happen, but it wasn't the way that we had planned, but there were some things that I definitely picked up down there that I think is going to help me in the future as far as going forward in my coaching career. Sharing it is another thing; debating on saying what it was in particular just because. The way we recruited down there was a little different and being down there in the South recruiting you could pick up some things and learn some different things. That probably would be the number one thing, I would say.
On his new role in coaching cornerbacks and working relationship in the secondary with Mike Tressel…
That was kind of why we actually ended up this way - because of Mike's and I relationship, working together, we've worked together for 14 straight years. We know one another, we feed off of one another. I think our strengths and weakness work well off of one another. There's no ego there. Mike's like a brother to me; I remember saying that to those guys after we've worked together so long – I think about the Rose Bowl year in 2013. I remember telling Pat (Narduzzi) and Mike and them you know Mike and I connected for life; we're like brothers now. Along with Coach Burton for that matter. We had coached together for so long so it's been a smooth transition. I think it's going to be great. We're both motivated guys being coordinators before. We're looking to make the secondary extremely successful and guys playing their butts off.
On his early impressions of defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton and having multiple defensive coordinators on staff, with himself, Coach Hazelton and Coach Tressel…
Ross (Els) was a coordinator as well at Purdue I think, if I'm not mistaken. Scottie is a really good dude. I like him a lot. There's no ego there. Everybody has an ego, we all have an ego, but it's not to the point where it's my way or the highway. He's open to suggestions and things that will help all of us be better as coaches and as a defense. I think he's a great guy – I love him. We're talking all the time, we're working more now than we were in the building, to be honest, because we're meeting defensively almost every day – almost every morning with multiple hours on Zoom, we're all getting to know each other, we're laughing and learning at the same time; he's a great guy.
On reconnecting with guys he recruited…
It was great to reconnect with those guys. Haven't had a chance to really watch practice film. Got some feedback from Coach Tressel and Coach Burton about what they've been like since they've been here so far. I did tell the kids when I met with them when I first got back here that whatever it's been; the slate is clean, the slate is clean. You've got to prove me wrong, I'm going to believe what I see. Those guys I think have the potential to be really good football players; that's why we recruited them here. They're looking for a chance to show what they can do. They know they've got a fresh slate, so to speak. We weren't able to go this spring like we wanted to; that's okay, they'll be able to hopefully have a chance in the fall.
On what he sees in Julian Barnett…
Well you know before I left, he was being recruited as a cornerback anyway. Julian and I knew each other pretty well. I think he can be an excellent cornerback. He's long, he's big, he can run and that's what he was recruited here to do anyhow. I know he's happy to be back on that side of the ball and I expect big things from Julian. There is no relation that we know of, in case you guys were wondering (laughing).
On his relationship with Mel Tucker prior to getting the phone call…
I didn't know Mel very well at all; in passing, it's kind of like how my relationship with Coach Dantonio was. They were on the staff with Coach Saban here back in the mid-90's, obviously Coach D was the DB coach and Mel was a graduate student but in '98-'99, I was the sideline reporter for Michigan State football. I thought I was going to be on ESPN by now – some of you guys know that story (laughing). So I got the chance to get to know those guys. Mel was just that one year in '98 and Coach D those two years that I was here but then I was doing that broadcasting so that was when I first met them. Then over the years, just being in the profession, you see guys down the road recruiting, you talk to different guys who know guys, friend of a friend. I remember when we were here, one year we all went over to Chicago when Mel was the defensive coordinator with the Bears and one summer we went over there and did some staff development. I've seen him over the years and got to talk with him over the years and that's kind of how it's been built. We know mutual people and so I think that was part of it more than anything.
On having staff that came from the Nick Saban path and how the shared vision of football helps the transition…
I think it definitely helps a lot because a lot of us speak the same language, have the same type of work ethic. Scottie hasn't been under that tree and that was a little, I think, I don't want to get in Coach Tucker's head but on purpose a little bit is that just learning another way to do things. Scottie comes from under that Gus Bradley deal, Monte Kiffin deal defense. We were all interested in learning that scheme anyway; the legion of boom stuff. Kind of learning that along with what Coach Tucker brings to the table and what he's done and his past. We've got a lot of defensive minds on the staff and hopefully it will translate onto the field; it will and our guys are going to play fast, physical and aggressive.
On how he can know that the players are doing the drills and conditioning he wants them to do...
That's a tough one because they can always say they're doing something or maybe send a quick clip or something like that. It's really going to be on them; it's about trust and accountability. You know when you have a really good team when guys come back here all in shape, ready to go. Nobody will probably be in tip-top shape, let's be honest. You're going to see the team we have and the character of our team by how they come back as far as their conditioning is concerned and how much they've been working. They said they've been working, we give them things to do and talk to them about doing certain things, but it's all about trust and honesty and guys doing what they say they're going to do.
On returning to East Lansing for the third time in his life and three eras…
That's funny that you ask that question because I remember the first time after graduating from here, my wife and I always used to say, because we met here at Michigan State, we'll leave State at State; that's our college years and probably would never live here and when we come back to visit; it was just like normal alumni would do. Then the next thing you know we're back with Coach D after many, many, many years and we enjoyed ourselves here; we really did. Then to come back this time was even more welcoming in some aspects, just based off of how the prior two years went. We're excited to be back – it's a great place, a great college town. Always really loved the East Lansing, Lansing area from the time I first came up here on my official visit back in 1985.
On trying to develop and get a number one cornerback on the field…
I see a good room. We're working with some guys that have the ability to get it done and it's just a matter of coaching them up, building their confidence and knowing that they can get it done. I'm very fortunate in a lot of ways to be able to have the corners themselves because we have the entire room which I've had my entire career, corners and safeties do different things so now to specifically hone in on just what the corners do, their technique and what they are supposed to do technique-wise and really locking in on it and being efficient in everything they do, I'm excited about it, I really am, because corners are a very unique position. I tell the guys this and you can check for history sake, but I tell the corners this – in order to be a great defense, you got to have two great corners. Most of all, you have two great corners on the team at any level, high school, college, pro, your defense has a chance to be really, really good because when you can lock down the edges, there's other stuff that you're able to do with the other nine guys on the field. I'm already talking to the guys like this, putting that in their minds, that hey, if we're excellent at corner, we're going to be an excellent defense. When we have two great corners, I don't mean just two, I mean the two that I have out on the field at that particular time. They all know that they have opportunities to go out and show what they can do; we say best players play. We want to be great at corner for this year's team and beyond.
On connecting with guys like Angelo Grose…
I did get a chance to meet with Angelo, he was obviously one of the guys that I really didn't know well prior to coming in. He and Tate Hallock; those are the two that I didn't know as well. I know you may say 'well, what about Darius Snow?' Well I was talking to Darius quite a bit when I was down at Florida State. He and I would talk all the time. I felt like I knew him pretty well. But Angelo and Tate were the two that I didn't know quite as well that were already enrolled and in the room. We've got a chance to talk and build a relationship and continue to do so. He's a good kid; my understanding a tough kid, plays hard. I did go back and watch film; he's a good football player and I'm glad he's here.
Players Mentioned
Saturday, September 26
Thursday, September 24
Monday, September 21
Saturday, September 19