Florida State has had ongoing conversations with Michigan State co-defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett, according to USA Today’s Dan Wolken.

Barnett -- also Michigan State’s assistant head coach -- and FSU have spoken, according to the report, about filling the Seminoles’ vacant defensive coordinator spot under new head coach Willie Taggart.

The Seminoles are slowly but steadily rounding out their coaching staff under Taggart, with two defensive coaches -- defensive line coach Odell Haggins and linebackers coach Raymond Woodie -- already in place. FSU isn’t expected to add other position coaches on defense until a coordinator is settled on.

Barnett, 51, has three years of experience as Michigan State’s co-defensive coordinator and 11 years as the Spartans’ secondary coach. Michigan State’s defensive S&P+ ranking was No. 4 nationally this season, No. 41 in 2016 and No. 13 in 2015.

Source: Florida State has had ongoing conversations with Michigan State assistant HC/co-DC Harlon Barnett about its defensive coordinator position. — Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) January 3, 2018

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