Ohio State assistant Matt Barnes set to be named Memphis defensive coordinator

The University of Memphis and head coach Ryan Silverfield have agreed to terms with Ohio State secondary coach Matt Barnes to become the new defensive coordinator, according to Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel. The first reports of the two sides’ mutual interest came on New Year’s Eve, just hours before he called defensive plays for the Buckeyes in the 2022 Rose Bowl.

In his third season with the Ohio State coaching staff, Barnes took on increased responsibilities and a new role. Prior to coaching the secondary, Barnes was the Buckeyes’ special teams coordinator, hired in 2019 by Day after spending three years with the Maryland Terrapins as their linebackers and special teams coach. Barnes has also coached one season at Michigan as a defensive analyst and three seasons at Florida as a graduate assistant, among other roles.

Barnes will replace Mike MacIntyre, who revitalized his career and getting a second head coaching stint with FIU this offseason. The Memphis defense recently got a boost with All-AAC safety Quindell Johnson’s announcement that he will return for 2022.

More about Matt Barnes

Matt Barnes, listed as the secondary coach for Ohio State, has taken on a much bigger role down the stretch of the 2021 season. When Ohio State’s defense had a rough bout to start the season, head coach Ryan Day relieved defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs of his playcalling duties and gave Barnes the responsibility. Ohio State’s defense certainly improved with Barnes calling the plays; however, the defense crumbled in its biggest game of the season against Michigan, allowing 42 points in a rivalry-week loss.

“He’s a great coach, and he’s a great football mind,” Ohio State defensive end Zach Harrison said of Barnes. “He’s a great motivator, and guys want to play for him. I’ve got nothing but love and respect for coach Barnes.”

Day recently hired Jim Knowles from Oklahoma State to become Ohio State’s next defensive coordinator, but the Knowles era did not set to begin until Jan. 2. In the meantime, Barnes continued to call the plays once again for the Buckeyes’ Rose Bowl contest.

“Right now, I’m just trying to go win this game,” Barnes said previously of the Rose Bowl, via The Columbus Dispatch. “If you watched Utah on tape, you know how much work it’s going to take to try to get that done. Sometimes I can be obsessive, and I really just obsessed about this game and trying to give our kids a great opportunity to go win it.”