Rick Barnes has emerged as a serious candidate the for UCLA job, reportedly has interviewed

If Barnes leaves for LA something has happened behind the scenes. This would be one of the strangest moves I can remember in coaching.

Exactly what I would say. I in no way expect it to happen, but if it does. something is up. Makes ZERO sense to leave a team that has one of the best two years ever for a rebuild. Unless you do not believe you can sustain success here, you simply do not leave now.
 
I have no idea what is happening, but UCLA is a fine program and there are several logical reasons Barnes might want to go there.
 
I really just don't make sense as to why he would ever make this move.

1) He is nearing the end of his career, talking about wanting to retire here when he got here.
2) The basketball team will NEVER have the same expectations of the football or WBB team.
3) He is loved here, and loves these guys, and they love him.
4) Grant is possibly coming back, and he is set up to have another solid team next year.
5) UCLA will have crazy expectations as well.

I just don't understand why this is even a thought.
 
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UCLA is desperate and has crazy money to spend. Barnes could simply have said I want 7 million per year to come. What if they offer it.... Barnes would be an idiot to turn it down
7 million is about even money for a move to California compared to his salary here factoring in cost of living.
 
If Barnes leaves for LA something has happened behind the scenes. This would be one of the strangest moves I can remember in coaching.

Yes, and I wonder if it was during the last month of the season...well before the tournament.
 
If Rick Barnes winds up going to UCLA who would be your Top 5 candidates to replace him? Here are my Top 5+3 not necessarily in this order.

1)Leonard Hamilton FSU head coach
2)Scott Drew Baylor head coach
3)Kenny Payne Kentucky associate head coach
4)Steve Prohm Iowa State head coach
5)Tony Bennett Virginia head coach
6)Steve Robinson North Carolina assistant coach
7)Kermit Davis Ole Miss head coach
8)Bruce Pearl Auburn head coach
Scott Drew, no way
Kenny Payne, no way

I'd take Hamilton, Prohm, Bemmett, or Davis.
 
I have no idea what is happening, but UCLA is a fine program and there are several logical reasons Barnes might want to go there.
It’s a great job. Much better than ours, even though I’ll get flack for saying that.

What’s weird is Barnes making the move - even with the raise.
 
I'd say Austin is much more like Knoxville than it is LA

I can't imagine you've been to Austin then. It's extremely liberal and was named the 2nd best city for a liberal to live in recently, finishing only behind Seattle. It's easily the most liberal area of Texas and compares favorably to Chicago, New York and Los Angeles on that scale. It's a huge city, about 5 times the size of Knoxville as well. The cost of living there is much closer to LA than Knoxville. It's considered a major outlier in Texas compared to the rest of the state.
 
If Rick Barnes winds up going to UCLA who would be your Top 5 candidates to replace him? Here are my Top 5+3 not necessarily in this order.

1)Leonard Hamilton FSU head coach
2)Scott Drew Baylor head coach
3)Kenny Payne Kentucky associate head coach
4)Steve Prohm Iowa State head coach
5)Tony Bennett Virginia head coach
6)Steve Robinson North Carolina assistant coach
7)Kermit Davis Ole Miss head coach
8)Bruce Pearl Auburn head coach


I love Prohm, bit disappointing in the Tourney but I'd take him if we lose Barnes.
 
If Barnes leaves for LA something has happened behind the scenes. This would be one of the strangest moves I can remember in coaching.

Why do people always look for something negative going on behind the scenes? Barnes has a limited time left as a head coach. He's done all he can do here. He's likely losing 4 of his 5 starters and what returns doesn't comfort. Maybe the guy is getting while the getting is good? Maybe he's wanting a national title and things would be far easier at UCLA than in Knoxville? Maybe this is his last chance and he'd get a nice pay raise to boot? Lot's of things go through a mans mind as he nears the end of his career. Sometimes it just feels like the right thing to do. Doesn't mean there's some ominous crap going on behind the scenes at UT. Geez.
 
I wonder if Barnes tried to get more money for assistants and was denied? Didnt they all recieve a bump in pay recently? Really confused about Barnes to UCLA unless something bad happened behind the scenes
 
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