Brian Lewerke gives glowing praise to Harlon Barnett

While Barnett was never Lewerke’s position coach, the two undoubtedly spent plenty of time together. He was a Michigan State assistant coach until 2017 when he left for Florida State. Lewerke was redshirted in 2015 and became the starter full-time in 2017 during Barnett’s last year. He saw what kind of defensive mind he was, leading one of the best units in the Big Ten. But any time you see a player speak highly of a coach who wasn’t in charge of their position, let alone on their side of the ball, you know he had an impact.

Lewerke finished his Michigan State career in 2019 after starting for three seasons but injuries held him back from what he was truly capable of. The year after he left, Barnett returned to East Lansing under Mel Tucker as the secondary coach.

Barnett has a history of success at Michigan State. He was a three-year starter for the Spartans in the 1980s, he was named a first-team All-American by the Sporting News, and he coached the often-celebrated ‘No Fly Zone’ in 2013. Many believe that he can bring that type of success as a head coach.

He’ll have Mark Dantonio helping him and showing him the ropes.

One thing is for sure: former players love this move by MSU.