On this week's Big Orange Podcast, Charlie Burris and myself had an in-depth conversation about whether or not Rick Barnes should be held accountable for the Tennessee Vols' lackluster season.

(If you haven't listened to the podcast, you should do that. Now!)

I've already noticed numerous comments on social media that strongly disagree with our shared opinion. And that's fine. That's what this is all about.

But I've also seen plenty of comments where folks obviously didn't bother to listen to the podcast. That's not fine. Don't be the person that comments on a headline.

Barnes being held accountable for Tennessee's 2019-20 season and Barnes being on the hot seat are two different things.

I'm not suggesting in any way that UT should consider a coaching change. I don't think Barnes is a bad coach. And I definitely don't think his seat is warm just a year after taking Tennessee to No. 1 in the nation.

But if Barnes gets the credit for last season, then he has to get the blame for this season.

Look, I get that Tennessee has dealt with a lot of adversity this year. Losing four players to the NBA, losing Lamonte Turner, the eligibility issue with Uros Plavsic, inserting Santiago Vescovi into the starting lineup after he literally just arrived on campus, and Josiah-Jordan James' season long nagging injury.

It's a lot to overcome.

But this is still a team with a load of talent. And they're on the verge of missing the NIT.

When a head coach is making nearly $5 million a year, reaching the NCAA Tournament is the expectation on a yearly basis. There are teams with far less talent than Tennessee that will receive at large bids in March.

Barnes simply wasn't at his best this season.

That doesn't mean I think he's "lost it". And that doesn't mean I think Tennessee will be dreadful again next season.

It just means that the 2019-20 team failed because Rick Barnes failed.

It happens. Just ask Roy Williams and North Carolina.

Now, if the Vols go though another season or two like this year, then it'll be time to have the Barnes hot seat discussion.

But I don't think that's going to happen. Barnes is a great coach. He has a proven track record. He'll right the ship. He just has to adjust the sails and find the right gust of wind to move the team in the right direction.

Barnes has done it before, and he'll figure out a way to do it again.

Featured image via Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports/Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports