From late Sunday night to late Monday night, it was a hectic and eventful 24 hours for Tennessee’s men’s basketball program.
It was reported late on Sunday night that UCLA was zeroing in on Tennessee head basketball coach Rick Barnes to be their next men’s basketball head coach. Barnes was considered a “serious” candidate, and UCLA had reportedly offered him a five-year deal that would pay him $5 million annually as his base pay before bonuses or incentives got factored in.
Barnes met with Tennessee Athletics Director Phillip Fulmer on Sunday night then again on Monday to discuss the situation. Tennessee countered with an offer of their own, and after prayer and deliberation, Barnes decided to stay with the Vols.
That news broke late Monday night, and as soon as it was confirmed, several of Tennessee’s current players and 2019 signees took to Twitter to react to the news.
Rising senior guard Jordan Bowden tweeted out a side-eye emoji reacting to the news:
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— Jordan Bowden (@JordyBow3) April 9, 2019
Davonte Gaines, one of the Vols’ 2019 signees, replied to Bowden’s tweet with an emoji of his own:
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— DAVONTE GAINES ?? (@TheRealTicket35) April 9, 2019
Speaking of Gaines, his first tweet when the news broke was of the emoji displaying hands raised to the air in celebration along with a gif:
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— DAVONTE GAINES ?? (@TheRealTicket35) April 9, 2019
Drew Pember, another 2019 signee for the Vols who was a standout at Bearden High School the last four years, tweeted out “Thank the Lord” with several emojis and a hashtagged “VFL” after the news broke:
THANK THE LORD!!!????? #VFL
— DP ߙ (@DrewPember7) April 9, 2019
Tennessee point guard Jordan Bone, who announced last week that he’s declaring for the 2019 NBA Draft, replied to a tweet from Trey Wallace of The Read Optional about Barnes’ decision to stay. Bone can still return to Tennessee if he withdraws his name from consideration for the draft by June 10th.
Ayooo???
— Jordan Bone (@JordanBone23) April 9, 2019
Two-time SEC Player of the Year Grant Williams also had a reaction to Trey Wallace’s tweet, and it was a similar one to Bone’s:
— Grant Williams (@GrWill2) April 9, 2019
The official Tennessee Twitter account reacted too, simply tweeting out the praying hands emoji as their reaction to Barnes remaining with UT:
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— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) April 9, 2019
6 Responses
So glad Coach Barnes is staying home, where the heart is.
I am so thankful that Coach Barnes saw that he has a fan base here that cares for him and has a high level of gratitude for what he has done for our University and the Mens Basketball program. Losing him would have been a huge loss for our community and our student athletes. He brings character, faith, and a winning attitude to a school that has a tremendous fan base that very few schools could have offered him. With the high taxes of California, the culture of anti faith, and a culture that is very unlike TX or TN were we welcome men and women as leaders that show their faith openly. I believe he will now retire an official VFL!!! Thank you Lord for keeping him as our Coach!!
Seems like there are better choices out there, her results have not been OUTSTANDING, but if she is chosen, we will support her 100 percent!
Grant, like Coach Barnes you are a class act and Vol Nation appreciates you and your hard work representing the University. We are grateful for young men like you who support your coach and work hard every day to make the most of your time and career with the Vols.
I think that hiring Ms. Harper is a great hire by AD Fulmer. GBO!
Sure was glad to hear that coach Barnes is returning to big Orange Country, now if we can get BONE, AND WILLAMS TO return, plus the other players left over,and the new recruits coming in, it will be another banner yr,plus I also hope that Kelly Jolly can get the lady vols going, plus coach Pruitt is going to help revive the football team.