Turns Out Rick Barnes Is Not Retiring Despite Some Rumors

Image: Tennessee Athletics

By Cody McClure

Well, folks. I gotta be honest. I’m kinda surprised. I really thought this might have been Rick Barnes’ final season.

The Tennessee head basketball coach is 70 years old. That said, he’s a healthy 70. Much different than seeing, say, Keith Richards at 70.

Still, it seemed that with Zakai Zeigler finally leaving the program after this season — in addition to senior guards Jahmai Mashack, Chaz Lanier, and Jordan Gainey — it might be a good time for him to hang it up.

Especially if this team makes the Final Four or better. Ride off into the sunset, perhaps.

The rumors have been circulating for some time, particularly after Barnes said something along the lines of “it would be hard coaching without a guy like that” in reference to Zeigler.

It seems now, however, that those rumors and/or reports can be put to bed.

"I think God will make it perfectly clear when he wants me to step down and my time will be up. But it's not now," Barnes said. "If it is, I don't feel that. But I love coaching basketball. I love being around it. I know how hard we're working right now. We've already had a young man on campus after we got back Saturday, Sunday, we had a young man on campus that committed to us. We're already planning to have a team next year.

“I fully plan to be a part of it. … The fact is, I've put it all in God's hands. I'll know because he'll make it clear to me."

Doesn’t sound much like a guy who’s ready to retire…