Florida State head coach Willie Taggart is tapping into Big Ten country to select his defensive coordinator after all.
Taggart has reportedly reached an agreement with veteran Michigan State assistant Harlon Barnett to lead the Seminoles’ defense in 2018. Barnett, who has been the Spartans’ defensive coordinator for the past three seasons, has been the secondary coach at his alma mater for 11 years.
Fox Sports writer Bruce Feldman was the first to report the news.
Barnett was an All-American player at Michigan State and played seven years in the NFL. His hiring comes after weeks of speculation about possible candidates, including reports that he was targeting Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard.
The news of Barnett’s hiring gets Taggart one step closer to filling out his staff. The other confirmed hires on defense are defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins and linebackers coach Raymond Woodie.
* Former Seminole player Greg Frey hired as new FSU O-line coach
On offense, Taggart already has hired former Oregon assistants Done’ Pimpleton to coach running backs and Telly Lockette to coach tight ends.
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