KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee basketball head coach Rick Barnes attended the final championship game of the Men's College World Series. He sat in the stands with Vol legend Peyton Manning, head football coach Josh Heupel and other big Tennessee names witnessing Vol baseball make history.
Barnes recalled his favorite memory of the national championship celebration, which was of pitching coach Frank Anderson.
"With everything that went on, we were getting ready to leave, I saw Frank sitting in the dugout by himself," Barnes said. "It really touched me. He was there when everyone was gone, sitting there looking out onto the field. I have so much respect for him."
Barnes often thinks about the success of all Tennessee sports in recent years. From leading UT basketball to an Elite 8 for just the second time in program history this season to Vol baseball making the CWS three times within the last four years, there is no doubt that almost every Tennessee sport is dominating in some way.
"I keep asking myself, how has this all come together so, it seems quickly at the University of Tennessee," he said.
He said it comes down to one main thing.
"Leadership," Barnes said. "It starts at the top. I'll say it every time I get a chance: Randy Boyd, Donde Plowman and Danny White. I mean, they're the ones who have set the bar, set the standard."
Barnes hopes for the success to continue across the board.
"We're on a big wave right now, hoping to turn it into a title wave," he said.
