Texas, Rick Barnes mutually agree to part ways: 'Some things changed'

Texas is officially on the market for a new head coach.

The Longhorns announced that they have come to a mutual agreement to part ways with coach Rick Barnes after 17 seasons and they will begin an immediate national coaching search.

Barnes, a four-time Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year was highly successful during his career in Austin. Putting together a 402-180 career record, with 16 NCAA tournament appearances. 

He led the team to a 20-14 record this season, which concluded with a 56-48 loss to Butler in the Longhorns' NCAA tournament opener.

Barnes issued a statement about his departure:

I am so blessed to have spent the last 17 years at The University of Texas. This university, the city of Austin and the great Texas fans have been so good to me and my family. I sincerely want to thank (former UT Men's Athletics Director) DeLoss Dodds and (former UT Chairman of the Board of Regents) Don Evans for their work in bringing me here and providing me with this great opportunity.

I leave this job with no regrets. Instead, I look back at our time here and say 'thank you' to all the players, coaches and staff who have worked with our program throughout the last 17 years. I am so proud of our players and their success, not only on the court, but also in the classroom and in the community. I'm humbled when I really step back and think about how many of them have gone on to be such great all-around men in life.

Longhorns athletic director Steve Patterson also provided thoughts on the move:

The University owes Rick a great deal of gratitude and respect for all he's done to put Texas on the Basketball map. He elevated our program immensely and always did it with class. He put our student-athletes first. He won with integrity. We thank Rick for his many years of service to Texas and wish him continued success in the future.

Barnes said Sunday that while he was told he'd be back for another season with the Longhorns, that guarantee came with a stipulation: Barnes would have to fire some of his staff or be fired himself. 

The 60-year-old was disturbed by the public nature of how everything played out, adding, "some things changed." 

"I was shocked," Barnes said, adding that the he believes the leaks came from the athletic department. "I couldn't (leak the information). That would be me saying this is about me. I've been carried by a lot of people here. We're in this together." 

Barnes' staff offered to quit, according to ESPN, but Barnes refused to accept their resignations. While it was announced that Barnes and Texas had mutually agreed to part ways, Barnes was clear that this was Texas' decision, and that he wanted to stay on as coach.

"I don't want anyone to think I'm bitter," he said. "Do those emotions rage up inside you? Yeah, they do. I told Steve I wanted a chance to finish the job." 

"You want the fairy-tale ending," Barnes said. "You want it all to end right. Sometimes you don't get what you want in life." 

Previous to his time at Texas, Barnes was a head coach at George Mason, Providence and Clemson.