17 years. That’s the number of years Rick Barnes spent at the University of Texas coaching the Longhorns men’s basketball team. Steve Patterson, the Longhorn’s athletic director, decided to fire Barnes on Saturday, after Patterson thought Barnes wasn’t getting the job done he once was.
“The wins and losses are fleeting, but it’s the relationships that matter,” Barnes said at a news conference. “We know as a coach, this whole thing is about players. We’ve been blessed as a staff here to have so many players who have affected our lives.”
“I don’t want anyone to think I’m bitter,” Barnes said. “Do those emotions rage up inside you? Yeah, they do. I told Steve I wanted a chance to finish the job.”
Barnes has already moved on from Texas, as he is now the head coach of Tennessee Volunteers, as Barnes will be looking to get the Tennessee program back to a high level in the SEC after a down year from Tennessee yet again last year.
“Rick Barnes is an elite basketball coach in every respect,” Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart said in a statement. on the hiring. “Rick brings an extremely impressive track record of excellence, as well as much-needed stability, to our men’s basketball program. This is an exciting day for our Tennessee family.”
Barnes has an all-time record of 604-314 all-time in 28 years in the NCAA, and now will look to bring some of that past coaching success to Tennessee.
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