The No. 2 Tennessee Volunteers will go head-to-head with theNo. 3 Kentucky Wildcats in one of the most unpredictable Sweet Sixteen matchups in March Madness. Ahead of such a crucial meeting on March 28, head coach Rick Barnes issued a strong confession, with a slight shot at his former program, the Texas Longhorns.
Since leaving Austin and moving to Knoxville, Barnes has enjoyed success with the Volunteers. During the current NCAA Tournament, Barnes will play in his tenth career Sweet Sixteen stage, this season’s being the fourth appearance with the Vols.
Last year, Barnes and the Volunteers were crowned SEC regular season champions, for the second time during Barnes’ tenure. However, they couldn’t move on past the Elite Eight round. This season they’ll hope for an even better outcome, though it won’t be precisely easy.
Ahead of a marquee matchup against Kentucky at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the former Longhorns coach made a bold admission about his firing from Texas and his subsequent move to Tennessee.
Chaz Lanier #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers takes a shot during the first half against the UCLA Bruins in the second round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Rupp Arena on March 22, 2025 in Lexington, Kentucky.
“I thank [God] every day for that,” Barnes firmly stated about his departure from Austin after 17 seasons at the helm, per On3.
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Barnes’ accomplishments in Texas
One doesn’t coach a college basketball program for over 15 years without achieving impressive results, let alone at a prestigious school like the University of Texas in Austin.
Throughout his 17 seasons with the Longhorns, Barnes brought much success and a great reputation to The Forty Acres. Under Barnes, Texas missed the NCAA Tournament in only one ocassion, during the 2012-13 campaign.
Head coach Rick Barnes of the Texas Longhorns reacts in the second half against the Butler Bulldogs during the second round of the 2015 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Consol Energy Center on March 19, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The Longhorns reached the Final Four during the 2002-03 season, underlining their best March Madness finish with Barnes. He also led Texas to three Big 12 regular-season championships, including one in his first year on the job in 1999.
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Moved on
Despite the great memories, it all feels like a distant past as Barnes is now fully immersed in Knoxville, aiming to reach new heights with the Volunteers. As the Vols prepare for Kentucky, the head coach made it clear that he has no regrets about his time in Texas and has completely moved on from ‘The Lone Star State’.
