KNOXVILLE, Tenn — Tennessee men's basketball head coach Rick Barnes has been listed as a nominee for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in the class of 2024.
In his 37th season of coaching basketball, Barnes has been nominated for the first time to possibly be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He has compiled a record of 787-409 as a head coach at George Mason, Providence, Clemson, Texas and Tennessee.
In his nine seasons at Tennessee, he led the Vols to an SEC regular season championship in the 2017-2018 season and an SEC Tournament title in the 2021-2022 season. In 2019, he won the Naismith College Coach of the Year Award and the USBWA Henry Iba National Coach of the Year Award. He was SEC Coach of the Year in 2018.
He led Texas to a Final Four in 2003 and won three Big 12 regular season titles in 1999, 2006 and 2008. Barnes won Big 12 Coach of the Year four times in 1999, 2003, 2008 and 2014.
The head coach also claimed a Big East Tournament title in 1994. A statement from Barnes is available below.
"I feel incredibly blessed to be nominated for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the pinnacle of our sport. This distinction, though, is not just about me, but more about all the wonderful people who have impacted me throughout my coaching journey the last four-plus decades. I want to thank every coach, staff member, administrator, fan and friend who has supported me and the programs I've had the joy of working for. But most of all, I want to thank the players I've had the privilege of coaching, as well as my family for their unconditional love and for keeping me focused on the Lord and living for the glory of His kingdom."