University of Tennessee Men’s Basketball Head Coach Rick Barnes reportedly signed a lifelong contract on Thursday to stay with the volunteers as long as he wants to coach.
“Rick has brought our program to unprecedented heights, and we are absolutely delighted to let him coach the rest of his career at Rocky Top,” said athletic director Danny White in a statement.
“He has built this program in the right way and achieved the success of elite level on the field, while it is also ensured that all our players excel from the field.”
Rick Barnes thanks Tennessee for a lifelong contract
Barnes, who became 71 in July, signed an extension for the last time in September 2023 that wore him through the 2027-28 season. The contract has announced on Thursday, the Barnes deal will automatically expand one year on 15 April from 2028, according to The corresponding press.
The resident of North Carolina said it is an honor and blessing to serve as the basketball coach of Tennessee. He thanked university officials for their continuous support in the program.
“I am incredibly grateful that God brought me to the University of Tennessee 10 and a half months ago. It is an honor and a blessing to serve here as a main basketball coach,” said Barnes. “I had the chance to meet so many great people, both on and outside the campus, who have influenced my life. The Knoxville community means not only for me, but also for my whole family.
“I am grateful to Randy Boyd, Dede Plowman and Danny White for their constant conviction in our program. Basketball in Tennessee would not be where it is today without the consistent efforts of so many players, coaches and employees I owe forever.
Volunteers have made seven consecutive NCAA performances
Barnes is 232-109 (66.4%) in 10 seasons with Tennessee, including 112-67 in SouthEastern Conference Play. He coached the volunteers to three SEC championship, four sweet 16s, two elite eight berths and four top 10 finishes.
Moreover, the Vols made seven consecutive NCAA tournaments, the fourth longest active series in the nation. They are also one of the two teams that have reached the last three Sweet 16s and past two elite.
Tennessee has been arranged in the AP Top 25 with 80 straight performances for the past four years, the second longest active line in the nation.
Per College Basketball ReferenceBarnes is currently also the Active Division I leader with 836 victories more than 38 seasons as head coach. Under his leadership, De Vols won no fewer than 31 games in the campaigns of 2007-08 and 2018-19.
Kansas gave men’s coach Bill Self a lifelong contract in 2021 and added that in 2023. Uconn Women’s Coach Geno Auriemma also has an extension of five years to 2029 in June 2024.
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