Enjoy it. Really.

[bleedingTNorange]

No thanks on Chris Beard.

Personally I’d have TJ firmly #2 on that list if it was in any kind of order

Didn’t have it in any kind of order

 

[McGeesPub]

My grandmother had a perennial contention, but they burned it off.

Oh what a relief it is.

 

[HeuperDrive]

Here’s my list…

Nate Oats
Brad Underwood
Dennis Gates
TJ Otzelberger
Chris Jans
Chris Beard
————————
Alan Huss
Jerrod Calhoun
Bryan Hodgson
Ben McCollum
Bucky McMillan


Not sure if you can get any of the first 6 to move from an established HM, but you probably make the call. The 5 below that are at MM’s and have to think if they're still available they’d be interested.

Not a snowballs chance in hell we get Oats lol. But Otzelberger is definitely my #1, though I don’t see us being able to lure him. Jans and Gates would be great as well. I don’t want Beard anywhere near this program. Grant McCasland at Texas Tech would be interesting as well, though I don’t think he’d leave, and I’d like to see him show something in March this season.

On realistic candidates, I’m shocked nobody is mentioning Ryan Odom at VCU. He’s won at every program he’s been to (and he was the UMBC coach in 2018), and could be primed for a big run this tournament. He’s not my #1, but I think we’d be wise to at least kick the tires.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Not a snowballs chance in hell we get Oats lol. But Otzelberger is definitely my #1, though I don’t see us being able to lure him. Jans and Gates would be great as well. I don’t want Beard anywhere near this program. Grant McCasland at Texas Tech would be interesting as well, though I don’t think he’d leave, and I’d like to see him show something in March this season.

On realistic candidates, I’m shocked nobody is mentioning Ryan Odom at VCU. He’s won at every program he’s been to (and he was the UMBC coach in 2018), and could be primed for a big run this tournament. He’s not my #1, but I think we’d be wise to at least kick the tires.

I would put Tennessee’s chances of landing Oats higher than those of landing TJ, but only because Oats has a prior relationship with Danny White, who gave him his first head coaching job.

That said, I seriously doubt we land a high major coach. White’s history has been to identify someone who isn’t high major, but has won at every stop.

And Ryan Odom makes a lot of sense, especially being from North Carolina originally.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Not a snowballs chance in hell we get Oats lol. But Otzelberger is definitely my #1, though I don’t see us being able to lure him. Jans and Gates would be great as well. I don’t want Beard anywhere near this program. Grant McCasland at Texas Tech would be interesting as well, though I don’t think he’d leave, and I’d like to see him show something in March this season.

On realistic candidates, I’m shocked nobody is mentioning Ryan Odom at VCU. He’s won at every program he’s been to (and he was the UMBC coach in 2018), and could be primed for a big run this tournament. He’s not my #1, but I think we’d be wise to at least kick the tires.

Pretty sure Odom is getting offered the UVA job.

 

[05_never_again]

Not a snowballs chance in hell we get Oats lol. But Otzelberger is definitely my #1, though I don’t see us being able to lure him. Jans and Gates would be great as well. I don’t want Beard anywhere near this program. Grant McCasland at Texas Tech would be interesting as well, though I don’t think he’d leave, and I’d like to see him show something in March this season.

On realistic candidates, I’m shocked nobody is mentioning Ryan Odom at VCU. He’s won at every program he’s been to (and he was the UMBC coach in 2018), and could be primed for a big run this tournament. He’s not my #1, but I think we’d be wise to at least kick the tires.

McCasland is an intriguing pick. I like the style he plays at TT and he's provided good stability there after them having to replace Beard (who is a great coach) and then replace his replacement (Adams) suddenly.

I wonder if he'd hold out for the Baylor (Scott Drew is not old though) or Texas jobs. Texas is going to move on from Rodney Terry at some point, and they love swiping good coaches from the other Texas schools.

 

[cncchris33]

Pretty sure Odom is getting offered the UVA job.

This

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

Selfishly I’d love to see Rick hang around for another year or two. But I’ve thought for a while that this might be the last roundup with his age and what we are losing. Like someone else said, I’d hate to see him have to do a complete rebuild in the twilight of his career although it is a little easier now with NIL and the portal. If it’s the last ride, it’s been a great run. This program could not have been led by a better person and I thank him for it.

Same. Selfishly, I’d love for him to coach a few more years. Selflessly, though, I want for him to be able to get out of this business in good health with years to spend with his kids and grandkids. Sometimes it’s easy for us fans to lose sight the full spectrum of life of when we are living through a golden age of success, but there is indeed more to life than basketball.

 

[Dougie_D]

Here's a list of the college coaches close to Rick's age who are still coaching at the highest level. Rick Barnes is currently 70 years old.

Rick Pitino (72)
Tom Izzo (70)
Kelvin Sampson (69)
Dana Altman (66)
John Calipari (66)
Bruce Pearl (65)

With the transfer portal, coaches don't have to wait around a few years and see how everyone develops. Instead of the 4-5 year plan, you can have the same or similar roster every 2 years now.
Unless we get as far as the Final Four, I don't see Rick retiring after this season. Possibly 3-4 more years.

 

[TennesseeFan07]

Here’s my list…

Nate Oats
Brad Underwood
Dennis Gates
TJ Otzelberger
Chris Jans
Chris Beard
————————
Alan Huss
Jerrod Calhoun
Bryan Hodgson
Ben McCollum
Bucky McMillan


Not sure if you can get any of the first 6 to move from an established HM, but you probably make the call. The 5 below that are at MM’s and have to think if they're still available they’d be interested.

Bucky McMillan could be fun.

 

[Anti-shunshinepumper]

No thanks on Chris Beard.

Personally I’d have TJ firmly #2 on that list if it was in any kind of order

Would love to have TJ. I seriously doubt that would happen, tho. Iowa State is trying to lock him up for the next decade. Probably two.

 

[Dougie_D]

Here’s my list…

Nate Oats
Brad Underwood
Dennis Gates
TJ Otzelberger
Chris Jans
Chris Beard
————————
Alan Huss
Jerrod Calhoun
Bryan Hodgson
Ben McCollum
Bucky McMillan


Not sure if you can get any of the first 6 to move from an established HM, but you probably make the call. The 5 below that are at MM’s and have to think if they're still available they’d be interested.

This will be a different type of hiring IMO. If Rick retires after this season, it will still be on a high point. The easy route is stay within the current staff and hire someone like Justin Gainey. When Danny White hired Heuepel and Caldwell, it created new energy because the fan base was tired of a certain standard. If we go out and find a coach who can't keep the Tennessee basketball standard then it will look bad on him. If he sticks with Gainey then it gives him a free ride to ride on the success or end up hiring someone from outside in the next 2 years.
Now if Rick doesn't retire until a few more years and we start to fall down (not making tourney, last in SEC, etc.) then that's when I think we go for someone outside.

 

[NighthawkVol]

This will be a different type of hiring IMO. If Rick retires after this season, it will still be on a high point. The easy route is stay within the current staff and hire someone like Justin Gainey. When Danny White hired Heuepel and Caldwell, it created new energy because the fan base was tired of a certain standard. If we go out and find a coach who can't keep the Tennessee basketball standard then it will look bad on him. If he sticks with Gainey then it gives him a free ride to ride on the success or end up hiring someone from outside in the next 2 years.
Now if Rick doesn't retire until a few more years and we start to fall down (not making tourney, last in SEC, etc.) then that's when I think we go for someone outside.

That’s actually a good point. The most comparable hire in White’s career would be having to replace Bobby Hurley at Buffalo because he left for Arizona State. In other words, because he had success. White wasn’t trying to rebuild, but to keep the success going. He promoted an assistant named Nate Oats.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Not a snowballs chance in hell we get Oats lol. But Otzelberger is definitely my #1, though I don’t see us being able to lure him. Jans and Gates would be great as well. I don’t want Beard anywhere near this program. Grant McCasland at Texas Tech would be interesting as well, though I don’t think he’d leave, and I’d like to see him show something in March this season.

On realistic candidates, I’m shocked nobody is mentioning Ryan Odom at VCU. He’s won at every program he’s been to (and he was the UMBC coach in 2018), and could be primed for a big run this tournament. He’s not my #1, but I think we’d be wise to at least kick the tires.

Probably not, like I said you make the call though imo given the relationship White & Oats have, I would think he at least listens. With that said, he’s already near tops in salary and buyout image, most of the guys on the top list would be expensive hires, not sure if that’s the route White would opt for.

As for Odom, he would’ve absolutely been on the list however it seems a near certainty he will be getting a HM job in the very near future once VCU’s season has ended, I doubt the timing lines up.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Bucky McMillan could be fun.

It could be, a lot of unknown there though. Being just 1/5 in making it to the NCAAT is a bit of a red flag to me, and there’s some questions about his style translating, but would definitely be an option. McCollum seems like a perfect fit for what White would look for, but like Odom I’m not sure the timing works out there. I’m really high on Hodgson, but absolutely get there’s a lot of unknown and not much proven to this point.

 

[Chaz-Vol]

Probably not, like I said you make the call though imo given the relationship White & Oats have, I would think he at least listens. With that said, he’s already near tops in salary and buyout image, most of the guys on the top list would be expensive hires, not sure if that’s the route White would opt for.

As for Odom, he would’ve absolutely been on the list however it seems a near certainty he will be getting a HM job in the very near future once VCU’s season has ended, I doubt the timing lines up.

When you say timing do you mean more because Barnes might take a few months after the season to make a decision or more next year?

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I know that there are character concerns, and that he’s also probably never jump to another HM, but Oats would be the clear #1 for me. He would at the very least be the sure thing to keeping this train rolling. After that, I think every other coach is just in a jumbled mass of similarity. I think McCollum would be my #2 and Otzelberger #3.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

When you say timing do you mean more because Barnes might take a few mo this after the season to make a decision or more next year?

Let me preface by saying I’ve heard nothing, so just going off @Stoerner Fumbles info, but if Barnes does decide this is it for him then I have a hard time seeing the job coming open any time in March. For starters we don’t know how long our season continues, obviously nothing would happen while we’re still playing. Barnes has also said multiple times that he has always had the thought to not make a decision shortly after the last game, but to take some time and make sure it’s the right decision, now whether that’s 3 weeks or 3 months I don’t know, but I don’t think it’s something that he announces a day after the season ends.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I know that there are character concerns, and that he’s also probably never jump to another HM, but Oats would be the clear #1 for me. He would at the very least be the sure thing to keeping this train rolling. After that, I think every other coach is just in a jumbled mass of similarity. I think McCollum would be my #2 and Otzelberger #3.

Seems like McCollum is the runaway favorite to get Iowa, and partly why they went ahead and made the move on Fran. I’m with you though in that I really like him, dude just wins, crazy impressive resume.

Depending on the timing, if this happens, it will most likely really limit our pool to choose from unfortunately. Most up and comers are already going to be snatched up, so are you able to pull a sitting HM coach, or do you potentially promote and then get to be the first to pick from next years up and comers?

 

[cncchris33]

Let me preface by saying I’ve heard nothing, so just going off @Stoerner Fumbles info, but if Barnes does decide this is it for him then I have a hard time seeing the job coming open any time in March. For starters we don’t know how long our season continues, obviously nothing would happen while we’re still playing. Barnes has also said multiple times that he has always had the thought to not make a decision shortly after the last game, but to take some time and make sure it’s the right decision, now whether that’s 3 weeks or 3 months I don’t know, but I don’t think it’s something that he announces a day after the season ends.

I think that is probably his line of thinking in relation to making a rash decision when he's most emotional, whether that be following a championship high or the lows of a crushing defeat.

The only exception to that stated timeline that I can think of is if he's already made his decision and doesn't need to take time to make it after the season has ended. If that were the case, I'm sure he probably has kept it under his hat so as to not become a distraction for the current team. That's the best case scenario for Tennessee as a program to not be behind the 8-ball.

 

[Chaz-Vol]

I think that is probably his line of thinking in relation to making a rash decision when he's most emotional, whether that be following a championship high or the lows of a crushing defeat.

The only exception to that stated timeline that I can think of is if he's already made his decision and doesn't need to take time to make it after the season has ended. If that were the case, I'm sure he probably has kept it under his hat so as to not become a distraction for the current team. That's the best case scenario for Tennessee as a program to not be behind the 8-ball.

I'm sure DW has a general idea whether or not RB is going to retire. Regardless given the fact it's a possibility this offseason I'd bet he has a list of coaches he's going to go after if/when it happens.

 

[cncchris33]

I'm sure DW has a general idea whether or not RB is going to retire. Regardless given the fact it's a possibility this offseason I'd bet he has a list of coaches he's going to go after if/when it happens.

ADs always have a list of coaches because you just never know. Coaches retire, they die, they get in legal trouble, NCAA trouble, leave for other jobs, etc. ADs aren't doing their job if they are continually updating a list of coaches for every sport.

 

[walkenvol]

What's crazy? That he is a jerk or that he'll win big?

You’re crazy for thinking our athletic department wants to hire a known sleazeball. Also, he won when he was overtly cheating. Now that NIL is legal, sleazeball has no advantage and won’t win big because he lacks character to build a sustained successful big time program.

 

[SGMVols]

The only time we’ve ever landed an active P5 HC in our entire history was Jerry Green and that’s because Oregon offered to help him pack.

Some of y’all are setting yourselves up to be disappointed.

 

[SGMVols]

I know that there are character concerns, and that he’s also probably never jump to another HM, but Oats would be the clear #1 for me. He would at the very least be the sure thing to keeping this train rolling. After that, I think every other coach is just in a jumbled mass of similarity. I think McCollum would be my #2 and Otzelberger #3.

There is no reason at all why Oats would leave what he’s built at Bama to take a lateral move to their rival and have to coach against it.