What new Memphis defensive coordinator Matt Barnes said at introductory news conference
Matt Barnes recalled two occasions watching film on Memphis football while coaching at Ohio State.
The first time was in 2020 and Barnes thought the Tigers' cornerbacks were "really well coached," which led him to look up defensive backs coach Charles Clark. Last season, he caught the first half of the win over Mississippi State and marveled over how fast and athletic the defense was.
Now he'll eager to see it up close as the Tigers' new defensive coordinator. In coach Ryan Silverfield, he saw another like-minded individual with a blue collar mentality and he wanted to bring that attitude to a program whose reputation he respected.
"I've known this program to be very competitive and not too terribly far removed from giving Penn State a run in the Cotton Bowl," Barnes said Monday in his introductory news conference. "In what little bit of film I was able to watch recently, I saw an aggressive, athletic defense and I had a chance to meet with Coach Silverfield and saw his vision for things.
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"It was pretty much right away. (I) was really intrigued by an opportunity to be here and help coach this defense."
Barnes, 35, spent the past three seasons coaching special teams (2019-20) and defensive backs. He assumed defensive playcalling duties in 2021 starting with the Buckeyes' third game.
It was tough for him to say whether the Buckeyes' defense was fully his creation or that of defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs, who he took over playcalling duties from. Barnes called it a great collaboration without egos while adding it shaped what he'd like to be a first-time defensive coordinator.
"I think you learn from your mistakes. I've certainly made plenty of them and I'm sure I'll make more as we move forward," said Barnes, who was also defensive playcaller at Maryland while linebackers coach in 2018. "Hopefully it gets less and less but I think you learn through reps and I've had a chance to get some reps of calling defenses and designing game plans."
How that translates on the field will be seen when the Tigers hold spring practice. Barnes ran a 4-2-5 scheme at Ohio State, which means four defensive linemen up front instead of three that Memphis used the past two seasons.
He wouldn't commit to a particular scheme but said the Tigers wouldn't just have four down linemen all the time. They plan to be multiple with their fronts and coverages while being flexible based on personnel.
Barnes also understands the expectations at Memphis as a program that's had recent success.
"If you look here in the recent past, it's a place you can win and go compete for championships," Barnes said. "That's the standard here and that's what I've heard from Coach Silverfield from the beginning."
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You can reach Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_B) or by email at evan.barnes@commercialappeal.com
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What Memphis defensive coordinator Matt Barnes said at his introductory news conference
