Penn State coach James Franklin explains why Deion Barnes is the Lions' new defensive line coach

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State players and coaches erupted on Monday when they learned that Deion Barnes would be the team’s new defensive line coach. On Tuesday, head coach James Franklin explained why the Nittany Lions letterman and school alum was the right choice.

Barnes is 30. He is a position coach for the first time at the college level. However, he spent three years as a graduate assistant in State College. He then briefly moved into an analyst role this offseason before John Scott Jr., left for the NFL. But, after a 15-day search that was partially elongated by the university’s spring break, Franklin decided after interviewing “a ton of people” that Barnes was the right man at the right time for this job.

‘He’s made the transition from being a trainer to being a coach,” Franklin said, referencing Barnes’ work at in Philadelphia and at Northeast High School before coming to State College. “And there are aspects and similarities of those two jobs that are similar, but there’s a lot of other aspects that go into it as well.

“I also think his ability to relate to the players and recruits is also going to be a strength of his. He has the ability to be hard and demanding on them in a way that they respect and can relate to, which a lot of times, younger coaches, they have a hard time with that.”

Franklin does not believe Barnes will struggle with that, however.

Penn State picked Barnes because he can ‘see the big picture’

Franklin has not often promoted from within. In fact, most of his position coach hires have come from outside of the program. However, he’d like to do that if he can. And, Barnes’ knowledge of the defense run by Manny Diaz makes for a perfect fit.

“I was impressed with, during the interview process, his understanding of the big picture,” Franklin said. “Not only defensively, schematically, but then also in terms of all the other things in terms of managing the room, in terms of setting standards and expectations of the room, in terms of the academics and his role of being the head coach in his position. I think the fact that he’s literally a paper away from finishing his master’s degree, I think that sends a message. I’m not saying a master’s degree in college coaching is a must, but I do think it sends the right message and illustrates the right message. So now, there’s a lot of things that we feel really good about beyond that.

“Whenever you can promote from within, which is what I would typically prefer to do across the board. He understands our culture already. He understands the defensive scheme. So when you go out and hire maybe a more experienced coach from the outside, you get that. But, then, that guy’s got to spend time learning the defense and understanding the culture. So you can make arguments both ways. But I was very impressed with Dion and how he interviewed.”

Barnes will have his work cut out for him

Barnes inherits an experienced and talented defensive line group that he knows well. However, Penn State must replace PJ Mustipher at one defensive tackle spot and also build out its depth chart.

“I think Deion is going to be able to build off of what we’ve done the last couple of years,” Franklin said. “But I also think he’s going to put his stamp on it, as well.

“I know one of the things that’s really important to him is effort. I think that sounds like a simple thing. But, we think there’s a little bit left in the tank to get our guys to play on a different level when it comes to effort.”

It is one of many tasks Barnes will be tasked with as spring practice begins for Penn State on Tuesday.