Once a Nittany Lion, always a Nittany Lion.

Penn State football head coach James Franklin made another change to his coaching staff by promoting Deion Barnes to the program’s offensive/defensive analyst and analytics coordinator.

Barnes previously served as a graduate assistant and assistant defensive line coach under John Scott Jr.’s guidance over the last three seasons. After maxing out his time as a graduate assistant, Franklin kept the former Penn State defensive lineman on staff for a more expansive position.

The Philadelphia native initially came to Happy Valley as a recruit in 2011 under Joe Paterno, but redshirted and registered zero appearances during his first campaign with the squad. The following season, the rangy edge rusher won Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors in 2012 behind 27 tackles, six sacks, and three forced fumbles. Barnes remained at Penn State until 2014, where he garnered letterman status en route to landing an undrafted free agent signing with the New York Jets.

After being waved by the Jets, Barnes landed in Kansas City as a member of the Chiefs’ practice squad unit in 2016. From there, the former four-star recruit took a three-year playing hiatus before nabbing a position with the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football league in 2019 before the association’s demise.

Barnes hung up the cleats and landed as a graduate assistant at Penn State in 2020. Through three campaigns as a mentor at his alma mater, he’s been credited with forming relationships with recruits around the Philadelphia area.