I guess then it becomes a question of how rigidly you adhere to that goal/expectation, then.
You can't really have an explicit expectation of reaching the second weekend, and also hold sumultaneous beliefs that A.) Barnes probably isn't the right coach to attain that goal, and B.) Barnes shouldn't be fired. Those two ideas are mutually inclusive.
So, you're either more flexible regarding that goal of regularly reaching the second weekend, or you believe Barnes needs to go in favor of someone who will accomplish that goal. And then the question becomes, who replaces him that is more likely to put Tennessee in that position? I wonder how exhaustive the list is of current coaches who have reached the second weekend in 3 of the last 4 NCAATs.
I define goals and expectations differently. Expectation for me is what should happen (barring something unforeseen) vs a goal (reasonable goal that is) where I see that is something we are trying to achieve that is beyond the expectation but attainable realistically. I totally understand that the ultimate goal is to win a natty, but I don't find that as a realistic goal for our program currently. I do think making it to the second weekend in March is realistic for any top 20 team in the country and I think everyone would agree.
When I say that the goal for our program to take the next step is to make the sweet 16 on a more regular basis that is me setting the expectation for the program as making the NCAA tournament. Anything less than making the tournament is a failure in my eyes in our current state. I think that is a fair assessment right? If you want to take that further, I view us as a top 20 program, so we should win our first game in March way more often than we lose, but that is nitpicking.
If you are on board with the previous then the logical next step forward as a program is the second weekend. That isn't the expectation though, that is the goal. We haven't shown an ability to make it to the S16 with any type of regularity so I can't call Barnes a failure. However, you make the tourney every single year, especially as a 5 seed or higher, I would think that we would make it to the 2nd weekend more than 25% of the time (which is what Barnes has done the last 4 appearances).
So it really boils down to are you ok meeting expectations or do you want more? How long will you accept just meeting expectations vs wanting more? Right or wrong, fair or unfair, Barnes has a relatively underwhelming record when it comes to the NCAA tourney. It really just is what it is at this point and I've seen even his staunchest of supporters on here back away from trying to defend it. I think Barnes is great overall, but I am not sure he is the coach to take us up another notch. I think he has raised this program entirely, but the only stretch he had where he got his team into the S16 consistently was about 20 years ago. I just don't have much faith that Rick Barnes gets us to that goal.
I also don't think you can fire a guy when he is meeting expectations which Barnes has. At some point though the program has to take another step forward or you have to seriously look at making a change. I don't think we are there yet nor should we be, but if we are still in the same spot 3 or 4 years from now, I do think it's time to start talking to Rick about retirement. Which also means I'm fully aware we may take a step back, but sometimes you have to take a step back to take two forward.
