Enjoy it. Really.

#104
#104
The Original Fade said:
People need to realize what an incredible time it is to be a fan of Tennessee athletes. All 3 major sports are having success and winning championships. That’s rarified air
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I’m assuming you mean football, men’s basketball, and baseball. But both Lady Vols basketball and softball are both doing good too. Softball is another WS caliber team and LV basketball is moving in the right direction imo. We beat UConn for the first time in forever.
 
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#105
#105
I've had this feeling as well that CRB may retire soon, going out with this group of guys specifically riding into the sunset with ZZ and Shack... but on the other side I do feel like he has been revitalized the past few years and seems to have found a groove. However it could be argued that its because of the comfort level with those core guys made it easier and fun for him. and now that he's losing that he would have to start over.

in the event he does retire this year or in near future... a few guys I like are...
- Ben McCollum up and comer, dominated at lower level winning championship and had a stellar year at Drake this year. Highly respected as a basketball savant by several active power 5 coaches. but appears to be a slower play style.
- Bob Richey Furman up and comer with high winning percentage and fun offensive style.
- Bucky McMillian Samford offensive fast pace style, definitely the mold of a DW type hire.

Not sure which power five type guys would come over.. and be a proven winner, and exciting style.
 
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#106
#106
VolArmy74 said:
Disagree about Dickey. He supremely screwed us on the way out. Cuonzo and Green as well, as both had extremely toxic relationships with fans when they left. Also disagree about DeVoe, the program was in nearly continuous decline when he left and had been for years. Mears also had a bad exit that really hurt the program, and is more classic Tennessee bad luck. Some may have taken the program and lifted it, but the exits were bad and all set the program back badly.

Point being, there's not been a coach who left in a good manner on the men's side of a major sport since Neyland. There's been bitterness/hatred/NCAA chaos, or some kind of black cloud associated with them all leaving.
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Mears departure wasn't a major set back. We were back in the NCAA just two years later. Reggie Johnson, Terry Crosby, Bertelkamp and Darden were all still on the team
 
#107
#107
Danny White seems to have the Midas touch when it comes to picking coaches. Here’s hoping he can do it again should CRB decide to call it a career.
 
#109
#109
Thunder Good-Oil said:
If it happens it could resemble the transition from Mears to Devoe. Mears was irreplaceable. Devoe was a solid replacement initially.

Another scenario is the possibility of handing the program off to Gainey and maintaining some of what Barnes built. I’d love for this scenario to work out. But I don’t recall too many times that an assistant to a highly successful coach has elevated the program or maintained an equivalent level. Steve Fisher at Michigan after Bill Frieder probably. Joe B. Hall after Adolph Rupp was about the best possible result that Kentucky could have had. Jud Heathcote to Tom Izzo might be the best ever replacement from within.

Who else was a coach in waiting that had a great career?
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The other side of that coin is the nightmare scenario like Villanova. Jay handed the baton to a long time trusted assistant in Neptune who had actually gotten some HC experience at Fordham and clearly understood the Wright system and culture. We all know how that went.

Another one is Ray Meyer retiring and his son Joey taking the reins at DePaul, which was a national power at the time, and having initial relative success but slowly running the program into the ground. They were also done in by having to give up their independent status to join a conference, and were never the same, so that isn't an apples to apples comparison.
 
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#111
#111
brockytop said:
As of now Barnes leaving a crap roster for 2026 (unless multiple seniors are able to return) will be a blight on his legacy unless this team goes DEEP into this tournament. I hope that energizes him to return.
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lol his legacy is just fine. You just love nitpicking him. Got news for you, bud. His name is going up in our rafters.
 
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#112
#112
Stoerner Fumbles said:
I posted a week or so about our decline in faith/interest in certain HS prospects, and our shift to portal players in this recruiting cycle. This came from my friend who is a regular source for information inside the program, and a prominent (top ten) booster. I sat with the two of them at a game. In the middle of this, I started to question why some of these situations with HS players had shifted dramatically and quickly. There were reasons from the player side (hometown school for Mallory, money for Burries) that explained the changes in optimism, but it also piqued my curiosity about changes in attitude on our side. I asked whether Barnes’ plans about the future might be a reason for either a win now portal team before he goes, or if he might retire this year after the tournament. I didn’t get good straight answers beyond “Those are great questions”. I did get a straight answer that DW has a succession plan, and thoughts on what’s next that include RB having many options for remaining a part of the culture, but not steering the hire. All of that made me wonder whether we’re seeing our last dance with Coach Barnes. There were other details that suggested this might be the last year, but I’d have to step on some privacy to share them. Suffice it to say, I do not “know” that he’s planning to retire. I do know he’s considering it, and in counsel with those he cares about most. He had a similar moment a few years back, and decided he was happiest coaching, and returned. For all the whining we do, and noting of imperfections, I’d suggest we all enjoy this ride, with these players, and this coach. Whether he stays or goes, we’re seeing a brand of basketball, a type of player and a breed of leader that is rare to find these days. As always, I hope we win it all, but I’m going to pay attention and appreciate what we’re witnessing. We won’t see it again.
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I agree with everything you are saying except for the last part. I hope you’re wrong about that.
omghulkhands said:
Not a lot of people in this business get the dignity of retiring on their own terms.

I’m glad CBB will have that opportunity.

Also, I’d be fine with Gainey being elevated and getting a shot.

I mean, if you really listen to interviews with Barnes, he has delegated a lot to his assistants. And I’m not sure they get enough well deserved credit for our success these last couple years most specifically.
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The assistants have probably taken over a lot of the day-to-day responsibilities and the recruiting. However, it is his ability to develop relationships and build quality young men that separates him. It seems to be something that has gotten better with age and his relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s going to be hard to replace somebody with the basketball IQ, coaching ability and moral fortitude of this man.
 
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#113
#113
I hope CRB stays. But, if he decides he has had enough there's one coach out there who would jump at the chance to come here. Will Wade is gonna get hired by somebody and win big. I know. He's a jerk. But, some would say BP is a jerk and a lot of people would love him back here. If not here, i hope WW isn't hired by another team in the SEC (Texas?)
 
#114
#114
Thunder Good-Oil said:
If it happens it could resemble the transition from Mears to Devoe. Mears was irreplaceable. Devoe was a solid replacement initially.

Another scenario is the possibility of handing the program off to Gainey and maintaining some of what Barnes built. I’d love for this scenario to work out. But I don’t recall too many times that an assistant to a highly successful coach has elevated the program or maintained an equivalent level. Steve Fisher at Michigan after Bill Frieder probably. Joe B. Hall after Adolph Rupp was about the best possible result that Kentucky could have had. Jud Heathcote to Tom Izzo might be the best ever replacement from within.

Who else was a coach in waiting that had a great career?
Click to expand...

Jon Sheyer, so far.
 
#115
#115
ERvolsfan said:
I've had this feeling as well that CRB may retire soon, going out with this group of guys specifically riding into the sunset with ZZ and Shack... but on the other side I do feel like he has been revitalized the past few years and seems to have found a groove. However it could be argued that its because of the comfort level with those core guys made it easier and fun for him. and now that he's losing that he would have to start over.

in the event he does retire this year or in near future... a few guys I like are...
- Ben McCollum up and comer, dominated at lower level winning championship and had a stellar year at Drake this year. Highly respected as a basketball savant by several active power 5 coaches. but appears to be a slower play style.
- Bob Richey Furman up and comer with high winning percentage and fun offensive style.
- Bucky McMillian Samford offensive fast pace style, definitely the mold of a DW type hire.

Not sure which power five type guys would come over.. and be a proven winner, and exciting style.
Click to expand...
McCollum would be a great choice for anybody. His style of play is boring though and i wonder if DW would be looking for a fast paced run and gun style based on who he hired as the football coach and who he hired as the WBB coach?
 
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#116
#116
ERvolsfan said:
I've had this feeling as well that CRB may retire soon, going out with this group of guys specifically riding into the sunset with ZZ and Shack... but on the other side I do feel like he has been revitalized the past few years and seems to have found a groove. However it could be argued that its because of the comfort level with those core guys made it easier and fun for him. and now that he's losing that he would have to start over.

in the event he does retire this year or in near future... a few guys I like are...
- Ben McCollum up and comer, dominated at lower level winning championship and had a stellar year at Drake this year. Highly respected as a basketball savant by several active power 5 coaches. but appears to be a slower play style.
- Bob Richey Furman up and comer with high winning percentage and fun offensive style.
- Bucky McMillian Samford offensive fast pace style, definitely the mold of a DW type hire.

Not sure which power five type guys would come over.. and be a proven winner, and exciting style.
Click to expand...
I’d hire McCollum. Style be damned. That man is a winner.
 
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#118
#118
smoltie29`` said:
I hope CRB stays. But, if he decides he has had enough there's one coach out there who would jump at the chance to come here. Will Wade is gonna get hired by somebody and win big. I know. He's a jerk. But, some would say BP is a jerk and a lot of people would love him back here. If not here, i hope WW isn't hired by another team in the SEC (Texas?)
Click to expand...
1742301919311.gif
 
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#119
#119
smoltie29`` said:
I hope CRB stays. But, if he decides he has had enough there's one coach out there who would jump at the chance to come here. Will Wade is gonna get hired by somebody and win big. I know. He's a jerk. But, some would say BP is a jerk and a lot of people would love him back here. If not here, i hope WW isn't hired by another team in the SEC (Texas?)
Click to expand...

Will Wade’s chances of getting this job under the current administration aren’t any better than mine or your chances of getting it.

I wouldn’t put it past LSU offering him the job after McMahon flounders again next season. Worked pretty well for both sides the first time before the ish hit the fan.
 
#120
#120
If you buy into the notion that DW has an ironclad “type” I think Hodgson fits that most closely.
 
#121
#121
If Barnes is retiring, there is no better time to go Coach Shopping than this period of time (68) coaches to interview plus the ones that could have made it to the NCAA but did not can be also vetted before the tournament even starts.
Perfect timing and I don't know a better time to go coach shopping. Barnes will have input of course as there is a good eye to add to it. a
A positive 5th year ruling would keep a core here to help with the transition of coaches. Scholarships available as well.
A Transition would be smooth and retaining players would be a plus for a new coach to come in here and succeed and recruit/retain signees to fill out the roster.
This could be the best time to make a change. Barnes has done his work here and will would only be a phone call away one would think. Coaches like Barnes never die they just fade away.
 
#123
#123
lostsheep said:
Thanks for the info.
Not the potential news any of us want to hear, but I guess we have to trust DW and hope for the best.
I appreciate CRB doing what he has done for our program, not only in wins/losses, but also in the culture category.
Let's enjoy the ride over the next few weeks and appreciate what we have while we have it! Go Vols!
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I wonder,,, if you chose to try to maintain the "culture" Barnes has created, where do you find a coach with this personality and ability? Let alone one who can actually coach this environment? I expect we may see a complete change in everything. Trying to replace a "Barnes" type coach who can/has won as he has would be like replacing a "General" or as we have see the worst, trying to replace Pat with a "clone" program. Another school or two who have struggled with this are Bama/ Bear or UCLA/Wooden and then there is Fla. still trying to replace what's his name....
 
#124
#124
savannahfan said:
I wonder,,, if you chose to try to maintain the "culture" Barnes has created, where do you find a coach with this personality and ability? Let alone one who can actually coach this environment? I expect we may see a complete change in everything. Trying to replace a "Barnes" type coach who can/has won as he has would be like replacing a "General" or as we have see the worst, trying to replace Pat with a "clone" program. Another school or two who have struggled with this are Bama/ Bear or UCLA/Wooden and then there is Fla. still trying to replace what's his name....
Click to expand...
Good questions.
Just my opinion, but I don't think you can successfully hire a coach with the idea he'll replicate the culture Barnes has created. You can try and hire someone that has similar values and morals, but at the end of the day you have to give that person the latitude to create their own culture and hope that your due diligence in the process pays off.
 
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