ESPN floats concerning rumor about the future of Tennessee Vols head coach Rick Barnes
Tennessee Vols head coach Rick Barnes will turn 71 years old in July. The North Carolina native, who has been involved in college basketball as a coach or player since 1974, is undoubtedly nearing the end of his coaching career. As a result, Barnes is at a point in his career where retirement rumors are […]
Tennessee Vols head coach Rick Barnes will turn 71 years old in July.
The North Carolina native, who has been involved in college basketball as a coach or player since 1974, is undoubtedly nearing the end of his coaching career.
As a result, Barnes is at a point in his career where retirement rumors are going to surface annually. And the retirement speculation will continue until Barnes ultimately decides to close the book on his Hall of Fame career.
That's why it's not a surprise that ESPN floated some retirement rumors about Barnes just ahead of the NCAA Tournament.
"There are retirement rumors floating around about coach Rick Barnes," wrote ESPN's Myron Medcalf after the NCAA Tournament bracket was revealed on Sunday. "If this is the end for him, he could author a magical finish with this group."
Considering Barnes' age, and the way many of his contemporaries have retired seemingly out of nowhere (Jay Wright, Roy Williams, Tony Bennett, etc), it's fair to suggest that Barnes could retire at any moment and it wouldn't be a surprise. It could be after this year's NCAA Tournament, or it could be five years down the road. Neither scenario would be a shock.
For now, though, I don't think Barnes even knows what his future holds. He obviously knows the end is near, but I think he's also completely focused on his current team. After the season, when he has some time to reflect, maybe he'll consider his future and whether or not it's time to move on to the next chapter of his life.
But until then, Barnes is focused on winning a national championship with a group of players at Tennessee that are special to him.
Of course, if Barnes and the Vols win it all next month, it would be fitting for the legendary college basketball coach to announce his retirement after winning the first national championship of his career. If anyone deserves to go out on top, it's Rick Barnes.
