Spartan Football Announces Updated Coaching Responsibilities for Staff
9/15/2023 4:54:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State football program has announced updated coaching responsibilities for the staff prior to this Saturday's game against No. 8 Washington in Spartan Stadium.
On Sunday, Sept. 10, MSU Vice President/Director of Athletics Alan Haller announced that secondary coach Harlon Barnett will serve as acting head coach. Barnett is in his 15th year overall on the Spartan defensive staff. In addition, Haller appointed Mark Dantonio, the winningest head coach in school history, as associate head coach. Dantonio will serve as an advisor to Barnett and the coaching staff on game days and throughout the week at practice and in meetings.
Defensive analyst TJ Hollowell will be designated as MSU's 10th on-field assistant coach. Hollowell is in his fourth season as a defensive analyst at Michigan State and was one of seven coaches at this year's training camp with the Houston Texans as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship.
"Mark Dantonio is an excellent football coach and it's been great having him back in the building this week," said Barnett. "Coach D brings the calming presence, the wisdom, and the knowledge of being a head coach. He is a tremendous resource for our staff and players and is willing to help with all aspects of the operation.
"In terms of the coaching staff, after evaluating our immediate needs this week, we felt that it was best served for Coach D to help in an advisory role and for TJ Hollowell to be our 10th on-field assistant coach. TJ has knowledge of our defensive schemes and personnel having been on staff for four seasons, which provides the most seamless transition for our program. As the 10th on-field assistant, TJ can go on the road recruiting, and has done so for our program previously. I'm confident in our coaching staff and I appreciate all of the hard work everyone is putting in with our players and program."
Michigan State (2-0) hosts No. 8/8 Washington (2-0) on Saturday in Spartan Stadium at 5 p.m. The game will be streamed live on Peacock.
On Sunday, Sept. 10, MSU Vice President/Director of Athletics Alan Haller announced that secondary coach Harlon Barnett will serve as acting head coach. Barnett is in his 15th year overall on the Spartan defensive staff. In addition, Haller appointed Mark Dantonio, the winningest head coach in school history, as associate head coach. Dantonio will serve as an advisor to Barnett and the coaching staff on game days and throughout the week at practice and in meetings.
Defensive analyst TJ Hollowell will be designated as MSU's 10th on-field assistant coach. Hollowell is in his fourth season as a defensive analyst at Michigan State and was one of seven coaches at this year's training camp with the Houston Texans as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship.
"Mark Dantonio is an excellent football coach and it's been great having him back in the building this week," said Barnett. "Coach D brings the calming presence, the wisdom, and the knowledge of being a head coach. He is a tremendous resource for our staff and players and is willing to help with all aspects of the operation.
"In terms of the coaching staff, after evaluating our immediate needs this week, we felt that it was best served for Coach D to help in an advisory role and for TJ Hollowell to be our 10th on-field assistant coach. TJ has knowledge of our defensive schemes and personnel having been on staff for four seasons, which provides the most seamless transition for our program. As the 10th on-field assistant, TJ can go on the road recruiting, and has done so for our program previously. I'm confident in our coaching staff and I appreciate all of the hard work everyone is putting in with our players and program."
Michigan State (2-0) hosts No. 8/8 Washington (2-0) on Saturday in Spartan Stadium at 5 p.m. The game will be streamed live on Peacock.
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