Penn State football went from a head coach hunt to a defensive coordinator hunt. The Nittany Lions let Jim Knowles go when head coach Matt Campbell was hired. Since then, two potential options to replace Knowles went down the drain.
Iowa State defensive coordinator Jon Heacock has been with Campbell since 2014. After the announcement of Campbell's hiring, he intended to join his staff at Penn State. He would have taken over Knowles' position. On Tuesday, Dec. 23, Heacock announced he is retiring, saying "it's the right time for this coach to hang up his whistle."
That was a blow for the Nittany Lions, especially as they try to find stability moving forward past the disappointing 2025 season.
Without Heacock, the defensive coordinator job at Penn State wasn't a complete wash. Campbell has external and internal options to choose from. One of those internal options, however, was recently scooped up by another team.
Later in the day on Tuesday, it was reported that defensive line coach Deion Barnes is leaving Happy Valley for South Carolina. He will be the Gamecocks' defensive ends and outside linebackers coach on Shane Beamer's staff.
You can upgrade the "expected to" to a "done deal"... Deion Barnes has signed with South Carolina to replace Sterling Lucas per source. Will need BOT approval but it's happening https://t.co/dvhoetYQY4 pic.twitter.com/lfyD6EONr6
— Wes Mitchell (@WesMitchellGC) December 23, 2025
Defensive line coach Deion Barnes reportedly hired on South Carolina's defensive staff
Plucking Barnes out of Penn State is a massive loss for the Nittany Lions. He played for the blue and white from 2012-14 at linebacker before heading to the NFL for two seasons with the Jets and Chiefs. From 2020-22, he was a graduate assistant before being promoted to the defensive line coach position full-time in 2023.
With the Nittany Lions, Barnes developed standout talent, like Odafe Oweh, Shaka Toney, Arnold Ebiketie, Chop Robinson, and Abdul Carter.
Not only was Barnes a potential option for defensive coordinator with the news of Heacock's retirement, but Campbell now needs to find yet another coach to replace Barnes' position.
Barnes is also not the first staff member leaving for South Carolina. Running backs coach Stan Drayton was hired by the Gamecocks on Thursday, Dec. 11 as their running backs coach and assistant head coach.
The Penn State alum also becomes the fifth coach to find a new program. Aside from Drayton, quarterbacks coach Danny O'Brien joins James Franklin at Virginia Tech in the same role, tight ends coach and co-offensive coordinator Ty Howle is now Franklin's offensive coordinator, and Knowles took the defensive coordinator job at Tennessee.