Ohio State DB coach Matt Barnes targeted for defensive coordinator job at Memphis
Memphis eyes Ohio State defensive backs coach Matt Barnes to take over as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator, according to 247Sports’ Brandon Marcello. The 35-year old Barnes has been on Ohio State’s staff since 2019, starting out as an assistant secondary coach and special teams coordinator. He became safeties coach in 2020 and ahead of the 2021 season was promoted to defensive backs coach.
Barnes, a former linebacker at Salisbury University, took over Ohio State’s defensive play-calling responsibilities following a Sept. 11 loss to Oregon, stepping in for defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs. The Buckeyes’ defense showed gradual improvement following the move. The young coach was recently asked about interest from other schools and, with Ohio State’s hiring of Jim Knowles, his expected relegation back down to a positional coaching role. He maintained his focus was on the Rose Bowl.
“I can see on the outside looking in where you might think that, but we’re all professionals,” Barnes said. “We all understand how this business works. Right now, I’m just trying to go win this game. If you’ve 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’ve really just obsessed about this game and trying to give our kids a great opportunity to go win it.”
He also said that he would appreciate the opportunity to remain on staff with the Buckeyes and coach Ryan Day.
“I love Ryan Day, I love Ohio State, I love Columbus, Ohio, and I love our players, so I’d certainly love an opportunity to remain here,” Barnes said. “It’s a wonderful place. I’ve enjoyed every moment that I’ve been here. I can’t imagine there are many head coaches to work for better than Ryan Day, and Columbus is an awesome place. It’s a great place. My wife and I love it here. (My son) loves it here. That’s what I can tell you.”
Barnes spent almost his entire career as a coach on the defensive side of the ball. He got his start in 2009 as the running backs coach at Delaware Valley before moving to West Virginia Wesleyan where he became offensive coordinator two years later. He became a graduate assistant at Florida in 2012 and a defensive analyst at Michigan in 2014 before earning his first big coaching role in 2015 as the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Maryland, a position he held until Ohio State eventually scooped him up.
Memphis’ previous defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre was recently announced as the next head coach at Florida International. Memphis finished the year an overall 6-6 with its Christmas Eve game against Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl canceled due to COVID-19 complications.
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