3/13/2023 football Edit

Penn State names Deion Barnes as defensive line coach

Dylan Callaghan-Croley • Happy Valley Insider

Editor

Penn State has named Deion Barnes as the program's next defensive line coach, replacing John Scott Jr as the leader of the Nittany Lions defensive line. Scott Jr. left the program at the end of February to take the same job with the Detroit Lions.

The announcement comes less than a day away from starting their 2023 spring practices.

"We are excited to have Deion represent his alma mater as our defensive line coach," Penn State head coach James Franklin said in a press release. "I have really been impressed watching him grow as a coach and leader these last three seasons. Deion's passion for Penn State and the defensive line room has been a differentiator. It is clear to me that he wears his pride for this University through his work. The respect the players and staff have for Deion showed every day. I look forward to watching him continue to develop and inspire our defensive linemen. He was a great addition to our staff in 2020 and I look forward to watching him thrive in this new role," he added.

Barnes joins the Nittany Lions' on-field coaching staff after working as a graduate assistant each of the last three years. Barnes also for a short period this offseason served as an offensive and defensive analyst for the program.

Prior to coming back to Penn State in 2020, Barnes spent time in the NFL and AAF as well as coaching high school football at Imhotep Charter in Philadelphia.

During his time as a graduate assistant, Barnes helped coached multiple Nittany Lion standouts including Chob Robinson, Adisa Isaac, Arnold Ebiketie, Jesse Luketa, Derrick Tangelo, Odafe Oweh, and Shaka Toney.

"I am thrilled and honored to be the defensive line coach for my alma mater," Barnes said in the same press release from the program. "I am extremely grateful to Coach Franklin for giving me this opportunity to lead a room of tremendous young men who have worked so hard each and every day. I have a lot of pride and passion for Penn State University, and I am excited to go to work with this coaching staff, this team, my letterman brothers and the best fans in college football."