Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Rick Barnes, Tennessee Receive Big News on Saturday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rodney Knuppel | Last updated May 10, 2025 9:43 PM ET

Rick Barnes has been a staple in college basketball for more than 40 years. His journey began in 1977-78 at North State Academy and has led him to his current role at the University of Tennessee.

Over the decades, Barnes has tallied 836 career wins, including 232 during his time with the Volunteers. Tennessee is coming off back-to-back Elite Eight appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with a current streak of three straight trips to the Sweet 16.

One of the key constants in Barnes’ career has been surrounding himself with strong assistant coaches. That trend continues heading into the 2025-26 season as Barnes is reportedly set to make a significant addition to his staff.

Joe Tipton of On3 Sports reported the news on Saturday:

Steve McClain is expected to join Rick Barnes’ staff as an assistant coach at Tennessee, source tells @On3sports.

Steve McClain is expected to join Rick Barnes’ staff as an assistant coach at Tennessee, source tells @On3sports.

McClain most recently served as an assistant at Texas, but has head coaching experience at Hutchinson CC, Wyoming, and Illinois-Chicago.

McClain, a veteran in… pic.twitter.com/PkF5beNS8A
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) May 10, 2025

McClain is coming to Knoxville from his role as an assistant at the University of Texas. Before that, he served on the coaching staff at Georgia and has a wealth of experience that includes head coaching stops.

He began his head coaching career in 1991-92 at Hutchinson Community College, where he compiled a stellar 91-16 record. He then spent nine seasons at Wyoming, where he notched 157 wins and helped guide the Cowboys through their transition into the Mountain West Conference. His tenure at Wyoming ended after the 2006-07 season.

McClain later served as head coach at UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago) in the Horizon League. He finished with a 76-93 record, with his final season coming in 2019-20.

As for Barnes, his coaching resume is loaded with accomplishments. He led Texas to the Final Four in 2003 and captured three Big 12 regular-season titles during his time in Austin.

Since taking over at Tennessee, Barnes has won the SEC regular season twice, in 2018 and 2024, and the SEC Tournament in 2022. He was named Naismith Coach of the Year in 2019 and earned the John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award in 2009. His all-time NCAA Tournament record stands at 33-28.

With McClain’s addition, Tennessee fans have another reason to be optimistic about the upcoming season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: