Gamecocks Return Their Edge Rusher, and Get an Edge-Rusher Coach

South Carolina Football: Gamecocks Name Former Penn State DL Deion Barnes as the New DE/OLB Coach

With Sterling Lucas taking the LSU job, a spot on the defensive staff opened last week. Shane Beamer acted quickly with the hiring of former Penn State defensive line coach Deion Barnes as the Gamecocks' next defensive ends/outside linebackers coach.

Gamecocks return their edge rusher, and get an edge-rusher coach

The good news continued for South Carolina football on Dec. 23, as star defender Dylan Stewart announced his return and the Gamecocks are closing in on their new edge rusher coach.

Deion Barnes Added to Football Coaching Staff

COLUMBIA, S.C. (December 23, 2025) — University of South Carolina head football coach Shane Beamer has named Deion Barnes as the Gamecocks’ defensive ends/outside linebackers coach, it was announced today. Barnes, 32, has spent the past three seasons as the defensive line coach on James Franklin’s staff at Penn State after working with the Nittany Lions for three years as a graduate assistant tutoring the defensive line. During his six seasons w…

DL Coach Deion Barnes Reportedly Leaving Penn State for South Carolina

Another Penn State position coach is headed south this winter. Deion Barnes is headed to South Carolina after six season coaching with the Nittany Lions, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Barnes, a former Penn State defensive end, will serve as the defensive ends and outside linebackers coach for the Gamecocks. Barnes' entire coaching career to this point has been in Happy Valley, with three seasons as graduate assistant and three as the defensiv…

Report: Penn State Football Defensive Line Coach Deion Barnes To Join South Carolina Staff

Penn State football defensive line coach Deion Barnes will not remain on Matt Campbell’s staff and instead join South Carolina to be the team’s defensive end and outside linebackers coach, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Sources: South Carolina is expected to hire Penn State defensive line coach Deion Barnes as the DE/OLB coach. He’s been Penn State’s defensive line coach the past three years and worked with the line there since 2020. He coach…

South Carolina expected to hire edge coach from Penn State, per report

South Carolina has reportedly found its new edge coach. The Gamecocks recently saw Sterling Lucas leave to join Lane Kiffin‘s LSU staff, and it appears Shane Beamer has filled that opening. ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel is reporting that South Carolina is expected to hire Deion Barnes to coach defensive ends and outside linebackers. Barnes has been Penn State’s defensive line coach for the past 3 seasons, working with the likes of st…