It looks like Tennessee‘s streak of zero Final Fours isn’t going away anytime soon. In fact, you can say the program just guaranteed a lifetime without banners sent to the rafters of Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Why? Rick Barnes is retiring a Volunteer — whenever that day comes.
It’s my only chance to poke fun after the Vols smacked the Cats around in the Sweet 16 back in March. In reality, the former Naismith Coach of the Year and SEC Coach of the Year is more than deserving of the lifetime contract he just signed with Tennessee, an extension that will keep him in Knoxville as long as he wants to coach.
UT officially announced the new deal on Thursday, one that will automatically add a new year each April so that the remaining term is always three years. His current deal is worth $6 million per season.
“Rick has taken our program to unprecedented heights, and we are absolutely thrilled to have him continue coaching on Rocky Top for the rest of his career,” Tennessee Director of Athletics Danny White said in a release. “He has constructed this program the right way, achieving elite-level success on the court while also ensuring that all our players excel off the court.”
Barnes, entering his 11th season at Tennessee, is the program’s all-time winningest coach and is the active Division I wins leader with 836 victories across 38 total years as a head coach. He’s led the Volunteers to a 232-109 record in Knoxville with six 25-win seasons, four Sweet 16 trips, two Elite Eights, four top-10 finishes and three SEC championships.
“I am incredibly thankful God brought me to the University of Tennessee 10-and-a-half years ago,” Barnes said. “It is an honor and a blessing to serve as the head basketball coach here. I have had the chance to meet so many wonderful people, both on and off campus, who have impacted my life. The Knoxville community means so much not just to me, but to my entire family.
“… Tennessee basketball would not be where it is today without the consistent efforts of so many players, coaches and staff members whom I am forever indebted to. Their relentless dedication and the unrivaled support of Vol Nation are truly why we have been so successful.”
Barnes previously signed an extension with the Volunteers in September 2023 with additional extensions coming back in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022.
Tennessee, as we all know, is coming off back-to-back Elite Eights — the most recent coming at Kentucky’s expense, defeating the Wildcats 78-65 in the Sweet 16 inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. UK won the regular season battles 78-73 in Knoxville and 75-64 in Lexington, but UT won the March Madness war to earn ultimate bragging rights.
Rick Barnes is a legend of the game and future Hall of Famer for a reason, as first-class as they come. College basketball is better with the 71-year-old in it.
Let’s keep the rivalry battles going, Coach.
