Tennessee's search firm reached out to Barnes 2 weeks before Tyndall was fired

I wonder how much that influenced Barnes' decision to rebuff demands he change assistants? I mean if I knew I had a good landing spot close to home that would make my wife and my own mom happy and I was tired of my boss' shite I would be much more inclined to stand my ground because there's no money loss. If anything he gets a check from Tejas as well as the salary from here.

That timeline coincides with when Tyndall's email deletion was coming out as well.

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I'm pretty sure Tyndall was going to get the axe no matter what. I feel like having Barnes in the wings helped in PR, because yall didn't have to drag the hiring process out, so in a way, I guess it would have made it easier for Tennessee firing him with Barnes in the wings, but sometimes the cards fall just right

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TBH, that's likely the full truth of it. I mean, I've said it before but UT couldn't have scripted better circumstances for this hire down to his wife and him being from Western, NC (just 3 hrs away and very familiar with UT - in fact, a lot of those in Western, NC are big Vol fans).

Texas making the mistake (imo) of not realizing what they had and firing him very likely out of stubbornness (despite citing the assistant ultimatum) had to happen to make it work. Tejas' AD dysfunction has not impressed me and I think that played a big role.

When you look at his background it's perfect for us. And after what he said at the pressure (before the mics went wonky) I think he'll be a perfect fit. He cited his multiple conversations with Summitt before she got ill, Ray Mears and Ernie and Bernie. Mentioning Ray Mears is amazing as his often forgotten except by UK fans, hardcore basketball nerds, etc. And his mentions of Summitt were authentic -- he mentioned something I've never heard another hire do and that was his conversations and how he never met anyone who talked more basketball and loved doing so than her.

I think we'll be very happy with him, especially in terms of fit, and look forward to the future.

Dave Odom is such a good guy ... I do miss him around here. Total class act.

Barnes has big time connections in western NC and his wife in eastern TN I believe ... so this is probably something both of them were hoping would happen.

Dave knew Barnes well from their ACC days together, plus there may have been some overlap while Barnes was at Clemson and Dave at SC but I don't think so, although I could be wrong. I think Barnes was already gone to Texas by the time Dave came to SC. Barnes was only at Clemson for a few seasons if I remember correctly.

Edited: "there" to "their."

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I hope he proves to be a good coach for Tennessee. The stronger the conference, the more NCAA tournament bids and pre-invitational tournaments we will get over the years.

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Oh I agree. The SEC definitely needs to become stronger overall or at least perceived that way. It helps us ALL and not just with tourney bids but with croots.

FWIW local high school and college basketball guru down here, Carey Rich, said today that Barnes' people are already calling him wanting to know what local SC talent Barnes might come-in and try to take from Martin at SC.

We've got a few big names down here ... I suspect he has people making contact with people in GA and NC as well.

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Perhaps, but if Texas hires Smart it could be a win/win for both UT's.

Hopefully Shaka says no.

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I think so but I think Shaka more learning to do - also more potential given his youth.

Once I was all in on Shaka but I'm no longer as certain Shaka is as good as advertised - not yet, anyway. He did fantastic one or two years but was underwhelming this season and has been for a few given all the hype that has surrounded him. Were he less hyped I'd prolly feel differently. I still think he's a very good coach and will only get better but you can and should make more noise at a place like VCU when you're are in the heart of recruiting country. I'd just like to see him do more in the present.

In conference play... St. Joe's and Dayton have been good teams but I also think the A-10 is living on past rep. They have had three good teams for more than a few years.

That said, Shaka is not only already good but has plenty of time to grow and be one of the greats. The facilities and support Tejas can provide may well do the trick. Time should also do the trick but I do see him as more of a long haul hire (one I would be happy to have, btw) who still has growing to do as a coach but again that is normal.

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Couldn't agree more. This was a solid hire for you guys, I think I heard on espn that Barnes has brought Tejas to 16/17 tournaments. UT should have its basketball program back in no time

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I've gone back/forth on the Texas part (I've always thought he could do better), but for the Vols this is a very good hire. Maybe a change of scenery is good for him.

Very much thing his and howland's hiring really are solid for the SEC

Just don't be impatient like some of our fans, give him time to get his guys in and see what happens. I do think Barnes can have success there. I have to admit that I've got a soft spot for tennessee, a guy I hunted with for a while was a huge vols fan, straight from the state, who I would watch football with at the camp. Guy was a class act and really represented yall well.