Deion Barnes: Leader on the field, mentor off of it

 

By: Matt Thomas, Editor-in-Chief, Basic Blues Nation

 

Unlike some major college football programs, Penn State football has experienced relative stability on its coaching staff in the last few years under James Franklin. Some, such as cornerbacks coach Terry Smith, have been with Franklin since his earliest days in Happy Valley after playing for the Nittany Lions. Even some of the “newcomers” have long standing relationships with Franklin and the program.

 

But the newest addition to the Penn State on-field coaching staff this season isn’t new to Nittany Lions fans at all. After his playing days ended, former Penn State defensive end Deion Barnes has become one of the fastest risers in the college football coaching ranks. While this ascension is undoubtedly due to his football acumen, Barnes’s ability to be a leader and mentor on and off the field has been what has endeared him to the Penn State football program.

 

Barnes is “way ahead” of expectations

 

After being promoted from a graduate assistant to defensive line coach in March, Deion Barnes has quickly put his mark on the position room. On the recruiting trail this summer, Barnes landed several of the top defensive line prospects in the nation for the 2024 cycle, including Liam Andrews – the No. 1 overall player in Massachusetts – and Mylachi Williams – the No. 3 player in Pennsylvania.

 

Barnes was elevated into this role because of his work ethic. Already a hit prior to his promotion, James Franklin has expressed his pleasure with Barnes’s performance in his new role thus far.

 

“Really good,” Franklin said of Barnes’s work in camp. “His players love him. He’s very, very, very demanding. He’s very transparent and authentic with them, which I think is important. There’s still some growth that’s happening every day with going from being a GA to a full-time coach in a top-10 program in a Power Five institution. There’s an adjustment period, but he’s handled it extremely well. He’s probably way ahead of where most people would expect and anticipate. That’s coaching guys on the field; that’s meeting room expectations; that’s teaching scheme; that’s recruiting. He’s doing really well. I’m proud of him.”

 

Barnes has been a mentor to Penn State’s biggest stars

 

For as much of an impact as he has already had on the field, Deion Barnes has left an even bigger impact off of it. Recently, we sat down with two of Penn State’s biggest stars on the defensive line, Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac. When asked who the most significant influence on them since has been arriving in Happy Valley, their answers were simple: Deion Barnes.

 

“He’s been there behind the scenes since my sophomore year,” team captain Adisa Isaac said. “So, he’s definitely been around for a good bit now and has put in a lot of effort and time into me as a player and as a person. He’s developed me and had me mentally prepared to take that next step.”

 

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Chop Robinson hasn’t had as much time around Barnes, only in his second year with the program after transferring to Penn State before last season. Nevertheless, he told us that the impact that Barnes has left on him as a competitor has been significant.

 

“He pushes me to be great,” Robinson said. “He has a mentality to just keep going and keep being greater than what you can be. So, he just pushes me to be that, and it helps me out.

 

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The Penn State run defense responded well after a shaky start against West Virginia last week. After allowing almost 60 yards on the ground in the first quarter Saturday, the Nittany Lions only allowed 79 yards rushing the rest of the evening.

 

Looking ahead, Penn State faces FCS opponent Delaware this weekend before beginning a grueling Big Ten slate. The Nittany Lions travel to Illinois next weekend, as matchups against Michigan and Ohio State loom on the calendar later in the season.

If Penn State wants to reach its goals of winning a Big Ten title and competing for a College Football Playoff berth this year, then play along the defensive front will have a critical role. Deion Barnes has shown he has the intangibles to get the job done so far. We will see if this mentality translates to performance on the field this fall.

 

Upcoming Happy Valley United exclusive events

 

Happy Valley United will be providing exclusive access and events throughout the 2023-24 athletic year, including:

 

• American Cancer Society Coaches vs Cancer Reverse Car Drawing, Medlar Field, September 14
• Select members of the Penn State men’s basketball team will be attending the Coaches vs Cancer Reverse Car Drawing on September 14, at Medlar Field.
• The event is hosted by the American Cancer Society and will run from 6-8 p.m.

Penn State men’s basketball student-athletes attending the event are Ace Baldwin Jr., Rayquawndis Mitchell, Puff Johnson, D’Marco Dunn and Zach Hicks.

 

Be sure to check out this and all the exclusive experiences presented by Happy Valley United for the 2023 season!

 

Exclusive player insights, presented by HVU On-Demand

 

If you enjoyed these sit-down interviews, stay tuned for more exclusive player insights throughout the 2023 season. HVU On-Demand will be providing exclusive access to player interviews and other content throughout the fall as part of the brand-new partnership between Happy Valley United, Up on Game, and Basic Blues Nation.

 

This initiative aims to promote NIL opportunities for the over 800 Penn State student-athletes represented by Happy Valley United and provide you with exclusive behind-the-scenes insights from your favorite Nittany Lions.

 

To donate, please visit Happy Valley United’s website. We Are!