Update: Rick Barnes has come to an agreement to be the next men’s basketball coach at Tennessee, Jimmy Hyams of Knoxville radio station WNML reported. A news conference is scheduled for later Tuesday, Jeff Goodman of ESPN adds.
Rick Barnes reaches agreement to coach Tennessee, according to reports
It seems like Rick Barnes won’t be out of a job for long.
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
Original: Rick Barnes hasn’t been officially unemployed for 24 hours yet, but he may already have his next job lined up. After being let go by Texas, Barnes has been offered the head coaching job at Tennessee, according to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman.
Barnes spent 17 years at Texas, but was let go after this season by new athletic director Steve Patterson for a lack of postseason success. Tennessee, meanwhile, suddenly found itself looking for a new head coach for the second year in a row due to potential NCAA sanctions headed for Donnie Tyndall because of infractions at his former school, Southern Miss.
Tennessee finished 16-16 this year in its lone season under Tyndall. Barnes has a reputation as a player’s coach and solid recruiter, having brought the likes of Kevin Durant and Myles to Texas. He compiled a 402-180 record in Austin and won at least 20 games in 15 of his 17 seasons.
Texas’ job is still open. The coaching carousel is just getting into swing.
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