NASHVILLE, TN — The Tennessee men’s team may have had a disappointing NCAA Tournament, but the school administration is certainly pleased with the overall job head coach Rick Barnes has done. They announced last week that his contract has been extended an additional year, and now runs through the 2026-27 season. According to the Knoxville News, Barnes is scheduled to make $5.45 million during the 2022-23 season. The publication also reported that Barnes will earn $28.85 million over the next five seasons.
Tennessee finished 27-8 this season, and won the SEC Tournament for the first time since 1979. But they suffered a surprise upset to Michigan in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The 67-year-ld Barnes has been at Tennessee seven seasons and compilsed a 150-81 record. His overall coaching record over 35 seasons is 754-395 with George Mason (one season), Providence (six), Clemson (four), Texas (17) and Tennessee. “After meeting with our players this week, I’m energized and eager to get back in the gym preparing for next season,” Barnes said in the news release. “Our family is blessed to be a part of the University of Tennessee family, and we appreciate the alignment of our administration.”
Athletic director Danny White praised Barnes’ performance this season and overall. “Having played and coached the game, basketball has a special place in my heart,” White said in the news release. “To that end, I can’t overstate how fortunate we are to have Rick Barnes leading our program. I am unbelievably excited about our bright future as we chase future championships on the hardwood.”
The Vols had three players attain post-season recognition. Junior guard Santiago Vescovi earned first-team All-SEC acclaim, while freshman guard Kennedy Chandler, who was the team’s best player in the NCAA Tournament, was a second-team All-SEC selection.
Freshman guard Zakai Zeigler was also recognized, as he was named to the five-man SEC All-Defensive Team. Chandler and Zeigler were both also earned inclusion on the SEC All-Freshman Team. Vescovi became the third Vol to garner first-team All-SEC honors under Barnes, joining Grant Williams (2018, 2019) and Admiral Schofield (2019).
