South Carolina expected to hire edge coach from Penn State, per report
By Andrew Olson
Published:
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 standouts Abdul Carter, Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac.
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 coached Abdul Carter, Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac. pic.twitter.com/K2GD2W60EV
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 23, 2025
It appears to be an impressive hire for Beamer. Thamel notes that Penn State leads in producing defensive ends drafted since 2020. Barnes is also leaving his alma mater for the opportunity in Columbia.
Since 2020, when Barnes started at Penn State, the school leads the nation with seven defensive ends drafted. (Dani Dennis-Sutton will add to that group this year). Barnes is a former player at Penn State, and he played with the Jets and Chiefs in the NFL.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 23, 2025
Lucas was introduced at LSU on Monday.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
