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KNOXVILLE, Tennessee – Rick Barnes, who has resurrected the Tennessee basketball program and propelled the Vols to the top spot of the poll rankings this season, is trying to decide whether to stay in Tennessee or accept a lucrative bid to become the next head of UCLA coach, sources told ESPN.
UCLA began last week aggressively seeking Barnes with a package that would bring in $ 5 million a year, not counting bonuses and incentives. Barnes was named Naismith 's year coach and met with his Tennessee Sports Director, Phillip Fulmer, later in the evening. They had additional conversations Monday, including a correspondence with the interim president of the university, Randy Boyd, about a new agreement at the University of Chad, sources said.
Barnes, who turns 65 in July, is expected to make a final decision the next day. A source told ESPN that he enjoyed living in East Tennessee and loved the people of Tennessee, but was also intrigued by the chance to return to UCLA his past glory and finish his career in a school. basketball also rich in tradition.
Barnes has been in Tennessee since the 2015-16 season and has led the Sweet 16 Flights this season and a share of the SEC championship a year ago. Barnes signed a contract extension in September in Tennessee for the 2023-24 season which raised $ 3.25 million and was expected to increase by $ 100,000 annually to $ 3.75 million in 2023-24. His current buyback in Tennessee is $ 5 million.
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