Gregg Polinski named assistant coach by Barnes

[NighthawkVol]

I haven’t seen this mentioned anywhere else, but Barnes mentioned in his press conference yesterday that Polinski has slid from an analyst role to an assistant coach role with Schwartz leaving.

His profile mentions that he was named assistant in March of 2022. So I guess that spot has been filled.

Gregg Polinsky - Assistant Coach - Staff Directory - University of Tennessee Athletics

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Fwiw for those who had questioned it Barnes also confirmed that he brought in Polinsky with sliding him in to an assistant spot when one came open.

 

[golfballs]

I don’t know anything about him as a coach. Clearly trust Rick Barnes in this area. But I do like his experience

 

[VolBricks]

What does an assistant coach do in basketball? From the video I have seen of practice Barnes runs practice himself and is very hands on about "teaching" the players how he wants them to play. Do the assistants do the scouting reports and work one on one with the players on the side during practice?

 

[golfballs]

What does an assistant coach do in basketball? From the video I have seen of practice Barnes runs practice himself and is very hands on about "teaching" the players how he wants them to play. Do the assistants do the scouting reports and work one on one with the players on the side during practice?

Responsibilities can differ based on the program. At places like Auburn, Arizona, and Kansas they’re bagmen

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

What does an assistant coach do in basketball? From the video I have seen of practice Barnes runs practice himself and is very hands on about "teaching" the players how he wants them to play. Do the assistants do the scouting reports and work one on one with the players on the side during practice?

They bring the orange slices for the kids to eat at halftime.

 

[cncchris33]

What does an assistant coach do in basketball? From the video I have seen of practice Barnes runs practice himself and is very hands on about "teaching" the players how he wants them to play. Do the assistants do the scouting reports and work one on one with the players on the side during practice?

Primary responsibilities include recruiting, opponent scouting, working with positional groups during offseason workouts, etc.

 

[Special Ed]

I wouldn't call that a slide.

 

[JelloPuddinPup]

What does an assistant coach do in basketball? From the video I have seen of practice Barnes runs practice himself and is very hands on about "teaching" the players how he wants them to play. Do the assistants do the scouting reports and work one on one with the players on the side during practice?

The couple of practices that I attended before the pandemic, the assistants are heavily involved. Constantly working/talking/coaching. Not necessarily leading the whole practice, Barnes drives that; but they fill in each and every gap and stand in as soon as Barnes takes a kid to the side or preps for the next section.

 

[malibuvol]

Responsibilities can differ based on the program. At places like Auburn, Arizona, and Kansas they’re bagmen

LSU is so open about cheating they don't need bagmen...

 

[butchna]

I don’t know anything about him as a coach. Clearly trust Rick Barnes in this area. But I do like his experience

Former college HC who’s been working in the NBA? Agreed.

 

[golfballs]

LSU is so open about cheating they don't need bagmen...

Straight from the head coach’s checking account

 

[scvol98]

Responsibilities can differ based on the program. At places like Auburn, Arizona Xavier, and Kansas they’re bagmen

FYP......

 

[Volfan1000]

Primary responsibilities include recruiting, opponent scouting, working with positional groups during offseason workouts, etc.

What kind of recruiter is Polinsky?

 

[cncchris33]

What kind of recruiter is Polinsky?

Remains to be seem, but that is my primary concern because there doesn't seem to be many natural connections due to being out of college basketball for so long. Prior to last season, he was an NBA scout or front office personnel since 1999. He was head coach at Georgia Southern for 4 years prior to that, where he was 34-76. Before that, he was an assistant coach at Alabama and Texas. My perception is that he isn't on staff for his recruiting chops, which concerns me a bit. Clark and Gainey will need to step up their efforts in that department, I believe, to make up for what Tennessee lost with Schwartz and didn't likely replace with Polinsky.