Rick Barnes is not expected to be retained as the men’s basketball coach at Texas.
The Texas Longhorns are expected to part ways with longtime head men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes, according to Jerry Meyer of 247Sports.
More from Mens Basketball
- Bronny James collapses at practice, taken to ICU with cardiac arrest
- 3 quick takeaways from Kentucky basketball’s win vs. Germany at GLOBL JAM
- UNC basketball adds fifth transfer of offseason with West Virginia big
- Undrafted Kentucky basketball star makes NBA contract official
- Caesars Iowa Promo Unlocks Massive $1,250 Bonus to Bet on ANYTHING!
According to the report, Athletic Director Steve Patterson wants Barnes to make changes to his staff and Barnes is not willing to remove anyone from his staff, which is going to result in Barnes leaving the program he has led since he was named the head coach in 1998.
Barnes is the all-time wins leader at Texas with a 402-180 record and has made the NCAA Tournament in 16 of his 17 years in Austin, including this year, but the program has slipped in recent years and progress has been stagnant.
In his first 10 years at Texas, Barnes led the Longhorns to the Sweet 16 on five occasions, including two trips to the Elite Eight and a Final Four appearance in 2003. He also led Texas to three Big 12 conference titles.
However, over the last seven years, Barnes has failed to get Texas back to the Sweet 16 a single time and despite expectations high that this year could be the team to get back to the Sweet 16, Texas went 9-11 in the Big 12 and barely made the NCAA Tournament as a No. 11 seed and lost in the first round to Butler.
Should Barnes not agree to Patterson’s demands that he change his staff and he is terminated, Texas would owe him $1.75 million if he is fired before April 1, but if they fire him after that date, the buyout is reduced to $1.5 million. He signed a two-year extension in August, but it would seem that he won’t be around to live out the life of that contract.
A change is necessary in Austin and a fresh voice and style could be just what Texas needs to shake out of the seven-year funk under Barnes, but it could result in Texas losing their two commitments for the 2016 class. In the big picture, the move is a necessity, but it will come as a cost, that could make the first year for his successor a difficult one.
More from FanSided
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle