LOS ANGELES — Matt Barnes is only 35 years old, but when he was asked about the stress of this Ohio State season, he pointed to the gray hair around his temples. “It’s been, particularly early on, a tumultuous year,” he said. Barnes began the season as OSU’s secondary coach. When the Buckeyes’ defense was torched early in the season, coach Ryan Day took away play-calling duties from Kerry Coombs and gave them to Barnes. Ohio State’s defense improved until the calamity in Ann Arbor, where Michigan dominated the Buckeyes in a 42-27 victory. Day acted quickly afterward, nabbing Jim Knowles from Oklahoma State to become the defensive coordinator starting Jan. 2. Ohio State defensive play-caller Matt Barnes said he had one “very brief” face-to-face meeting with incoming coordinator Jim Knowles but that they didn’t discuss whether Barnes would be retained. Where does that leave Barnes and the other defensive…
Continue Reading: Ohio State football assistant coach Matt Barnes focused on Rose Bowl, not coaching future
