Report: Tennessee moving quickly to hire Rick Barnes; sides finalizing deal

Tennessee has made hiring Rick Barnes as the program's next head basketball coach a priority, and it seems the school is acting quickly.

According to multiple reports, Tennessee is finalizing a deal with the former Texas bench boss, who would replace Donnie Tyndall. An announcement is expected soon.

Tennessee recently fired Tyndall, who held the position for just one season, after meeting with the NCAA regarding infractions at Southern Miss under Tyndall's leadership.

Barnes had his final press conference in Austin on Sunday when it was made official that the two sides were parting ways. He finished his time there with an overall record of 402-180, leading the Longhorns to three Big 12 championships, five appearances in the Sweet Sixteen and one trip to the Final Four.

His final year in Austin was not a memorable one, though. After beginning the season ranked inside the national top 10, Texas finished with a losing record in conference play, then failed to win an NCAA tournament game.

Barnes took the Texas job in 1998 after spending four seasons at Clemson, and boosted the program's national significance over the course of his 17-year tenure. The 19 NCAA tournament wins the program accumulated in his time there are more than the university had compiled since its inception prior to his arrival.