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.
