[ad_1]
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee – After strong pressure from UCLA, Rick Barnes has decided to remain Tennessee's basketball head coach.
"The last few days have been interesting to say the least," said Phillip Fulmer, director of athletics in Tennessee, in a statement. "One of the country's richest traditions of college basketball programs has identified what we already knew here, namely that Rick Barnes was one of the game's elite coaches and that He changed his program. "
Fulmer added, "The University of Tennessee and Eastern Tennessee as a whole have developed an increased love and appreciation for our men's basketball program and culture under Rick, and I am delighted that He continues to be part of our Tennessee Athletics family. "
UCLA began pursuing Barnes aggressively last week with a lucrative package that would have earned him $ 5 million a year, not counting bonuses and incentives, sources told ESPN.
Barnes was named Naismith coach of the year and met Fulmer later in the evening, according to sources. Barnes finalized his decision to stay as a Flight Coach Monday night after Tennessee reacted to a new deal that was in the vicinity of what UCLA was proposing. Barnes' buyout of its Tennessee deal amounts to $ 5 million, sources said.
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. He brought Tennessee to first place in the polls for a month this season.
Sources close to Barnes said it was a difficult decision for him, especially given the opportunity he was given to bring UCLA back to his former glory and finish his career at a basketball school as well. loaded with tradition. But Barnes, who turns 65 in July, enjoys living in East Tennessee and is extremely active in the community.
He took the 15-win Flights to Knoxville for his first season at 31 this season, which is a school record. They also won a record 19 consecutive games this season from November 28th to February 13th. They all lost six times against NCAA teams.
Barnes signed a contract extension in September in Tennessee for the 2024 season, earning $ 3.25 million. That increase was to increase by $ 100,000 a year to reach $ 3.75 million by 2024. One of the things that Barnes has always put his assistants and his staff are supported financially and provide them with as much security as possible, which was paramount in its discussions with UCLA and, ultimately, in its decision to stay in Tennessee.
Barnes informed Fulmer at the end of last week that UCLA had an interest and wanted to make sure he was personally talking with Fulmer before making any decision, sources told ESPN.
[ad_2]
Source link