Tennessee Vols head basketball coach Rick Barnes’ retirement isn’t considered imminent, but there’s no doubt that he’s in the twilight of his coaching career.

Barnes, who was hired at Tennessee in 2015, will turn 72 in July.

Former North Carolina head coach Roy Williams called it career at 70, while former Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski retired at 75.

Barnes will obviously make his own decision, but he’s clearly in the fourth quarter of his career.

CBS Sports throws out name that could be an option to take over at Tennessee when Rick Barnes retires

Barnes is one of the best coaches in Tennessee athletics history (and one of the best people, too). He deserves to go out on his own terms, whenever that time comes (again, it could be several more years).

But when Barnes does decide to hang up the orange and white pullovers for good, the Tennessee job will be a heavily coveted gig.

CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander wrote this week that there’s “curiosity” as to whether current Vols assistant coach Justin Gainey will get the Tennessee job when Barnes eventually retires.

Norlander, who pointed out that he doesn’t think Barnes is retiring this year, also noted that Gainey could be an in-demand head coach option this offseason.

“Gainey’s the top assistant in Knoxville, and there’s curiosity if he can get the job whenever Rick Barnes retires,” wrote Norlander. “However, I don’t think Barnes is hanging it up this year. Gainey’s certainly got the credibility at this point to step out and take a job elsewhere. Bright future ahead.”

Gainey, a former NC State point guard, has served as an assistant under Barnes since 2021. He previously served as an assistant at Marquette, Arizona, Santa Clara, Appalachian State, and Elon.

The High Point, NC native has also worked as the the director of operations at NC State and Marquette, so he has a well-rounded view of the sport.

Gainey would certainly make sense when Barnes retires, but he may not be willing to pass on attractive head coaching jobs while waiting.

There’s also the fact that the hire will be made by Tennessee athletic director Danny White, and he could see other options as more viable.

Change is coming for Tennessee basketball, we just don’t know when it’s coming.

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