There’s not a lot Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes hasn’t seen throughout his nearly four-decade long career in college basketball.
From becoming the all-time winningest coach in Texas Longhorns history and coaching NBA greats such as Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge, to being named SEC Coach of the Year last season, the Lenoir-Rhyne alum certainly has had his fair share of success.
While his Vols would go on to fall to No. 2 Kansas in the NIT Season Tip-Off Championship on Friday, the veteran coach collected his 665th career win in Tennessee’s triumph over Louisville, surpassing legendary coach John Wooden for 26th place on the all-time wins list.
Known for his stoic demeanor on the court, Barnes deflected any praise surrounding the milestone, noting specifically how many more games he’s been able to coach in than that of Wooden.
“It just means I’ve been around for a long time,” Barnes said. “I’ve been blessed with some great teams. I’ve had terrific coaches and players around me.”
In perspective, Wooden coached 826 total games during his career, while logging a win percentage of .756. He won 10 Division I Championships and led his teams to 12 Final Four appearances.
Conversely, Barnes currently holds a career record of 665-359, while leading Texas to the 2003 Final Four to pair with four regular season conference titles, including a mark of 61-45 since arriving in Knoxville.
What Barnes is most thankful for, however, is the relationship he was able to forge with Wooden prior to his passing in 2010, noting several personal trips to the Hall-of-Fame coach’s home in Los Angeles.
“I was fortunate enough to get to know him,” Barnes said. “Every time I would go to California I would go to his condo for dinner. I have great pictures of my son and I at his house.”
Having coached 16 McDonald’s All-Americans and 24 NBA Draft picks, Barnes has already been a recipient of the John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching award, taking home the honor in 2009.
He also claimed the Athletes in Action Coach Wooden “Keys to Life” award during last year’s NCAA Tournament for his character, faith and integrity both on and off the court, qualities the committee feels have served Barnes best throughout his career.
“Coach Barnes’ life displays the character traits of integrity and leadership in the game of basketball,” AIA President Mark Householder said. “(He) reflects the values of legendary coach John Wooden, in whose name this award is presented.”
Producing four Conference Players of the Year to go along with his six Conference Coach of the Year selections, Barnes has proven to be a steady workhorse in every program he’s been involved with.
From George Mason and Providence, to Clemson, Texas and now Tennessee, Barnes has yet to waiver when it comes to his approach to the game.
Predicated by hard work, success and the desire to improve in every practice, the mentality that Barnes has instilled in the Vols has shown through as he enters his fourth season with the program.
When it comes to reaching an individual career milestone, however, Barnes is never one to accept credit.
“I’ve coached in a lot of basketball games,” Barnes said. “The success I’ve had is based off of having terrific coaches and great players with me.”
