Barnes to remain at Tennessee after reported UCLA offer
Rick Barnes will remain as head coach at Tennessee, athletic director Phillip Fulmer said in a statement Monday, per The Athletic's David Ubben.
"I'm grateful ... to our university leadership, which stepped up to show Rick how much he is valued and appreciated," Fullmer said. "Our commitment to basketball has never been stronger."
The school reportedly countered an offer from UCLA worth $5 million per year, sources told ESPN's Chris Low, with CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein reporting that Barnes' deal with the Vols is worth "substantially more money" than UCLA's offer.
Reports surfaced Sunday that Barnes had emerged as a serious candidate to take the reins of UCLA, who fired coach Steve Alford in December. Barnes has amassed an 88-50 record in four years at Tennessee, reaching the Sweet 16 this season. He was named Naismith Coach of the Year on Sunday.
With Barnes and apparently TCU's Jamie Dixon off the market, UCLA is looking at Cincinnati's Mick Cronin for its coaching vacancy, a source told The Athletic's Seth Davis.
HEADLINES
- NC State, Baylor headline field for 2025 Maui Invitational as it returns to Lahaina
- Edey: 'Got to re-establish myself' in NBA despite college success
- ACC commissioner Phillips remains optimistic despite turmoil
- Green Bay hires broadcaster Doug Gottlieb as basketball coach
- Kentucky hosts Calipari, Arkansas for lone matchup in 2024-25