Harlon Barnett on Michigan State vacancy: ‘The best job in America’

As a former player and long time assistant coach in East Lansing, interim head coach Harlon Barnett is obviously biased about Michigan State. But that wasn’t going to hold him back from sharing a sterling assessment about how desirable the job is.

While plenty of Big Ten rivals and SEC programs — plus a few more scattered around — would certainly quibble with Barnett’s claim that coaching the Spartans is “the best job in America,” it certainly does have a lot going for it. Be it a secure spot in the Big Ten, the history and aspirations of the football program and countless other factors, Barnett holds the job he has for the moment in high, high esteem.

“Extremely, extremely attractive. Of course I’m going to say this, it’s the best job in America. It’s Michigan State in the Big Ten. Go green, go white, all day. And so it’s a fantastic place, it always has been since 1985 when I first came up here. I said this last week. So, great place, great job, great people. It really is. And unfortunately we had somethings where people look down a little bit on us, but it is an awesome place. It is an awesome place,” Barnett said.

The most obvious thing going for Michigan State at the moment is being a Big Ten member. And though the growing membership of the league will likely make a path to the College Football Playoff more arduous, the Spartans will exist in one of the most rich conferences. Plus, the school currently has a number of high-profile donors interested in supporting various athletic programs. Simply put, there won’t be any shortage of financial resources for Michigan State in the new world of college sports.

Plus the prestige and draw of Power 5 football has always attracted coaches and players looking to prove they can compete for and win a national championship at the highest level. Even if the path is difficult, it remains for Michigan State to contend for bids to the playoff after realignment and playoff expansion.

Lastly, despite the ongoing and acrimonious end to the Mel Tucker era of Michigan State football, any school willing to offer a coach a 10 year deal worth nearly $100 million will likely have suitors when the job next comes open. Showing up to East Lansing and winning could certainly be a ticket to a big pay day.

And as of late September, Michigan State is the only open Power 5 job so, for the time being, Barnett is probably right, if only by default.

The post Harlon Barnett on Michigan State vacancy: ‘The best job in America’ appeared first on On3.