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'If I don't think we're doing that, I think that would be my answer, it's time to get away from it' — Tennessee Vols' Rick Barnes explains when he would retire

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Craig Smith | Last updated Jul 18, 2025 8:27 PM ET

Rick Barnes has had nothing short of a terrific run with the Tennessee Vols men's basketball program. Arriving after the 2014-15 season after getting let go by Texas, Barnes has transformed the Vols into one of the most consistent teams in the SEC on his watch.

And at 71, he's showed no signs of slowing down. The contrary, actually, as he's been among the best in the sport in pulling talent out of the transfer portal, landing First Team All-American Dalton Knecht and Jerry West Award winner Chaz Lanier over the prior two years. Back-to-back Elite Eight appearances have come as a result.

His 2025-26 team appears ready to push forward and possibly take that next step despite a number of key roster losses. Potential NBA top five draft pick freshman Nate Ament appears ready to take the reins in his all-but-certain one year in Knoxville, giving Barnes the offensive star power that could put the team over the top in March.

But even with all of this recent success, the question has come up among many Vol faithful: how much longer will there be of the Barnes era?

Barnes spoke with college basketball analyst Andy Katz recently, and he specified when he believes he would hang them up.

Rick Barnes will know when it’s time for him to retire and now is NOT the time

: https://t.co/ErJdS5wA74 pic.twitter.com/TmpfKLQdmw
— Andy Katz (@SidelinewithAK) July 18, 2025

"You know what, Andy, again, I would just - if you want to be transparent - I think that God has a plan for all of us," Barnes said. "I will say this, there's no doubt in my mind that God's going to make it perfectly clear to me when my time is done. I mean, I've got I think the best situation of any coach in America. University of Tennessee right now has got the best leadership from the very top all the way down. I think I'm working for the best athletics director in the country. They've done everything they can to help us here. I think this is still one of the most underrated programs in the country. I think this is as orange-blooded as blue-blooded can be, is what I would say. And I still love - when I hang up with you here, we're going to get out and - I'm excited about practice. Been thinking about it since yesterday's practice. I love the group of guys that we have.

"But I'll tell you this. I'll tell you exactly what I tell my coaches. I want to make sure that we get good enough players that we can compete every year because this university, this state, our fans deserve that. If I don't think we're doing that, I think that would be my answer, it's time to get away from it."

That's a logic baseline for stepping away, and it's one that doesn't appear to be particularly soon, as Barnes and his staff have found a way to continue to build solid rosters recently.

And it still sounds like Barnes is enjoying the day-to-day workings of the job, as he enjoys practicing and spending time with his players.

It sounds like it won't be a case of Barnes riding off into the sunset with a Final Four (or better) showing next March, because if Tennessee can continue to be successful on the court - and see players taken in the NBA Draft - the program is going to continue to pull in strong talent each year.

Which should mean several more years of a very good era ahead.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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