Perspective from an avid Texas basketball fan

[Aesius]

Maybe I've got my maroon glasses on...but I'm underwhelmed by the hire. Barnes had so much talent at UT...and under performed...again all in my opinion.

I hope he rights the ship at Tennessee....but I think they (being the real UT) could have gotten a solid up and comer rather than someone who is 60 years old (and this is someone who is 58 years old).

Yeah, but the chances of hiring the "right" up and comer are low out of the available group. Plus, guys like Prohm, Underwood, and Miller may be holding out for better jobs.

 

[mikecollins6]

Seems a little similar to Roy Williams at Kansas before UNC.........time had run out at Kansas due to not winning a Title. of course UNC was a talent upgrade for him but a change in scenery was best for both sides. I can assume the Barnes will recruit very well at TENN and should be motivated to win a title before he retires in a 4-5 years.

Age does not matter if the goal is to win now. The Cubs just made this change with Joe Maddon. Maddon is 61, but brings the best chance to win now. We have to assume 65+ is the age to start re-thinking for a younger coach. Barnes should expect to go big or go home for next 4-5 years or he will be shipped out for younger talent.

 

[Voluntar]

I recall Rick Barnes from his Clemson days. He recruited fairly well... coached tough defenses that essentially hacked anybody coming into the lane... or any players that were more talented than his. He tried to pick a fight with Dean Smith courtside to prove he deserved some of the respect Dean's reputation had earned. Class act? Not unless he has matured in the Longhorn state. Good with Xs and Os? Texas fans didn't think so. Will he make us proud? I hope so, but I'm skeptical.

 

[tennrich1]

Does everyone not realize Chris Lofton's UT teams were really, really good? That same UT team--a year after the Lofton three over Durant and big win in Austin--had a great Ohio State team, that finished national runner-up, beat in the Sweet Sixteen (when the officials intervened and UT also locked up). There is no shame in losing to those teams. Heck, Pearl beat the back-to-back title UF teams three of four with those teams.

Doesn't fit the agenda!!

 

[jarnol32]

I can't help thinking how his team was smoked by the Bruce Pearl coached UT team and Chris Lofton.

Similar to how Dooley beat Butch Jones like a drum when he was at Cincinatti in 11. That didn't seem to hurt Butch in the long run. One game dosent define what a coach is capable of.

 

[buzz4tennessee]

Seems a little similar to Roy Williams at Kansas before UNC.........time had run out at Kansas due to not winning a Title. of course UNC was a talent upgrade for him but a change in scenery was best for both sides. I can assume the Barnes will recruit very well at TENN and should be motivated to win a title before he retires in a 4-5 years.

Age does not matter if the goal is to win now. The Cubs just made this change with Joe Maddon. Maddon is 61, but brings the best chance to win now. We have to assume 65+ is the age to start re-thinking for a younger coach. Barnes should expect to go big or go home for next 4-5 years or he will be shipped out for younger talent.

A pro baseball manager and a college basketball coach are dealing with different sets of circumstances.

In the pros, the manager is in charge of players that range in age from early 20's to mid 30's, whereas, a college coach's players are late teens to early 20's. A guy like Chipper Jones relates to a man like Bobby Cox in a better way than an 18 year old would with a 60 year old. The younger guy may be more motivated by a father figure who is no more than twice his age or so. Not someone over 3 times his age or a grandfather figure.

When Barnes went to Texas, he was approximately the same age that Donnie is now. The kids played with great vigor for DT. I don't know whether they will be as dedicated to RB. Only time will tell!