Dante Barnett completed his first season as the safeties coach under UTEP Head Coach Dana Dimel in 2022.
UTEP's passing defense ranked third in Conference USA, yielding only 216.5 passing yards per game. The Miners ranked 50th nationally in that department. UTEP only gave up 93 yards on 13-of-34 passing in its upset win over Boise State on national TV, while only surrendering 56 yards on a 6-for-21 effort in a thrashing of FIU.
Kobe Hylton, in his first season at UTEP, ranked third on the defense with 91 tackles and 10.0 tackles for loss. Hylton added three breakups, five QB hurries and two forced fumbles.
Barnett graduated from Kansas State University, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in May 2015 while Dimel was the co-offensive coordinator.
The Tulsa, Okla., product, and Booker T. Washington High School alum, played defensive back for the Wildcats from 2012 through 2016. Barnett was a three-time team captain, and played on the 2012 Big 12 Championship team. His accolades include being named the 2013 Buffalo Wild Wings Defensive MVP after posting eight tackles and returning an interception 51 yards against Michigan. He also earned second team All-Big 12 honors in 2014, was named to the 2016 first team Academic All-Big 12.
Overall, Barnett racked up 248 tackles (182 solo), eight interceptions, 24 pass breakups and a pair of fumble recoveries.
Following his collegiate career, Barnett was a member of the Denver Broncos from April through September in 2017.
Barnett started his coaching career at Arlington Seguin High School in August 2018 where he filled multiple roles as a full-time coach. He was a defensive backs’ coach, pass game coordinator and wide receivers’ coach on the varsity team. Barnett also assumed roles as the JV head coach/offensive coordinator, and the head varsity boys track coach.
