South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer is finalizing the hire of Penn State's Deion Barnes as the program’s next EDGE coach, a move that signals continuity, credibility, and an emphasis on proven defensive development. GamecockCentral.com confirmed the hire after the news was first reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Barnes steps into the role vacated by Sterling Lucas, who recently left Columbia to accept a similar position at LSU.
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
A Proven Developer with Big Ten Roots
Barnes will arrive in Columbia after spending the last several seasons at Penn State, where he steadily climbed the coaching ladder under James Franklin. A former Nittany Lion standout, Barnes played at Penn State from 2012 to 2014 before brief stints in the NFL with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs. He returned to State in 2020 as a graduate assistant, earning a full-time defensive line coaching role ahead of the 2023 season.
Over his five seasons working with Penn State’s defensive front, Barnes helped develop 20 all-conference selections and three All-Americans, a résumé that speaks directly to South Carolina’s defensive priorities.
What It Means For South Carolina
South Carolina isn’t rebuilding its EDGE room, but it is reinforcing it. Barnes will bring a development-first mindset, NFL credibility, and recent proof that his coaching translates to production at the highest levels of the sport.
For Beamer, the hire fits a familiar blueprint. Barnes is young enough to connect, experienced enough to command respect, and proven at a Power Five program where defensive excellence isn’t optional.
In a league where pass rushers can dictate the outcome of games, Beamer made a calculated and quick, high-upside move for the program.