University of Tennessee Athletics
Rick Barnes Press Conference Transcript
March 31, 2015 | Men's Basketball
Check out what Rick Barnes had to say at his press conference about taking over as the Vols head coach.
Head Coach Rick Barnes
(Opening Statement)
"Thank you. I'm very humbled and I am very thankful that you're here. When I think back of all the head coaches that have coached here at the University of Tennessee from Ray Mears down, I'm honored to have a chance to stand here today as the 20th head basketball coach at the University of Tennessee. I realize and I know that there's many, many people that would like to be standing where I am today. But I will say this, I'm not sure of all those coaches that have come before me, that they knew the University of Tennessee like I knew it before I ever really walked back on this campus. Back in 1974, you had a co-ed here that I was really in love with. The trip from Hickory, North Carolina over here was very short.
"I actually can remember often times leaving at 11:30 at night, trying to get over here. I'd never really been to a big time college football game, ever. She actually asked me if I would like to come over here and I said "Absolutely." I came over in 1974 and had a chance to watch Tennessee play Tulsa. I met Condredge Holloway today and I remember exactly that the score was 17-10, and they beat Tulsa that day. But every time I would come over I'd also remember stopping at a deli here and getting two roast beef and cheese sandwiches with lettuce before I got back on I-40 to head back to Hickory.
"I really, truly at that point in time, since 1974, I know what the University of Tennessee and the great fan base here is about. I know that. So I know what, when people talk about Rocky Top, I know what they're talking about. With that said, I'm telling you, I am exciting to stand here before you today, and I truly know that I'm blessed to have this opportunity. When I came over here during that time when Coach Mears was coaching, I do remember the Ernie and Bernie show.
"I remember as a college player myself, how that was a big thing during those years and also I was very fortunate and I've been unbelievably fortunate to meet so many coaches. One of the best I've ever met and had a chance to share time with, I'm talking quality time, talking basketball, going on conference trips together, was Pat Summitt. Believe me, she would never say anything but there's only one place you want to coach, I can tell you that. We had talks I can remember on those trips, I can remember talking basketball and I'm not sure I remember anyone or know anyone that wanted to talk basketball more than Pat. So believe me, when I look at the pavilion out there, I'm honored to be a part of this great tradition. How can you not be happy with what Holly Warlick has done? Last night we were watching the game, thinking about her following a legend like Pat, and in three years as a head coach winning three Southeastern Conference championships. What she's doing is really great and I'm so looking forward to having a chance to meet her and working with her because just know that it's special.
"But the last two days I will tell you, it's been incredible. I've spent a lot of time and you ask how something like this may happen so quickly. The one thing I knew was in 1987, I was a young assistant coach at George Mason University and desperately wanted to be a head coach. So, I would send my résumés out everywhere I could send it. I finally got my very first interview at East Carolina University. When I flew into Greenville, North Carolina, Dave Hart was waiting to pick me up. He was the Associate Athletic Director then. Immediately, it was a relationship that I just knew that it was one that was genuine, it was real, and spending the next day with him and having a chance to spend the evening with him, and actually playing golf with Pam [Hart] in Greenville. But for some reason then, he didn't hire me.
"So, I'm thankful this time that he did. But really, he was the Associate Athletic Director at the time, and then obviously following his career from East Carolina to Florida State, Alabama, then here. When we started talking about this, the one thing that I knew about him was, one, he's a basketball player, and there's just a trust level, a loyalty and a way he makes you feel so comfortable. And then with those last two days being around Chancellor Cheek and his wife Eileen, thank you. From the time we sat down here to talk and it's just been an unbelievable day. Being with Butch and Barb, last night as we spent time together. We can talk about a lot of things, but it's about the people, it really is.
"So Dave, truly, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart because it's going to be great. It's going to be great. But today, as I really came on campus for the first time and started walking through here and seeing everything, it was so easy for me to get energized. And again, to step back and realize just how fortunate and how blessed I am to have this opportunity. As we went through the facilities, and everyone, there's that feeling I know about the One Tennessee. You can feel it. The energy is truly incredible. When I think about having a chance to meet with our team today and talking to them about where we see it, where we're going to go.
"I actually got a text last night from Bob Stoops, the Oklahoma Coach, congratulating me. I haven't had a chance to really respond back but I do want to tell him that I am, he actually said to me, "I'm looking forward to seeing you in Knoxville." But, I'm looking forward to seeing our football team run through the T. I really am. I'm really exciting about that part of it. As I reflect back on a lot of different things. Again, I just really want to emphasize how humbled I am to be here and I understand the great traditions that have come before me and I can promise you this, that every day, I promise you this and I'm going to protect the great integrity of this university and our basketball program is going to mirror what this university stands about. I just want you to know that I'm really, truly, really excited about what's happening here on Rocky Top. Thank you."
(On what it's like to be starting out at a new place at this time in his career)
"To be quite honest, when I thought about it and obviously a lot has happened the last couple days. When I really finally had a chance to talk with Dave, one I knew I wanted to coach in basketball. From talking with him and knowing about this great university and it's three hours from my home. Again, I got excited when they were showing me around a bit, driving down seeing Morrill Hall, which my wife was in and it's not hard to get excited. It really was. It goes back to obviously the respect here and the fact that I do know that I've had so many people, coaches in the Southeastern Conference. I would like to say over the last three days I've had, I'm humbled by so many people and the way they've reached out. But the fact that so many people once the news broke that I was involved, just everyone telling me "Hey, it's going to be awesome. It's going to be great. With that said, I feel like it's 1987 again and I'm with Dave and I'm just glad that we're going to get to do something really special and we're going to do something really big."
(On his message to the current Tennessee players)
"Well, again, it's a little bit of what I just said. We all are fortunate and blessed to have this opportunity as players. Where they are, having this locker room and playing on this court... there's thousands of young men that would love to have this opportunity. I would say the same thing about myself; there are thousands of coaches who would like to be standing here. So one thing we won't ever do is take for granted or have a sense of entitlement. Because what we want--believe me--we know the league that we play in and we understand the environment of college basketball. Everyone wants it. And we've been given this opportunity, and now we have to make the most of it. And what we have to do is hold each other accountable, coach each other, we want to have every component that goes into having a great team. And it starts with trust, and it starts with loyalty, and it starts with the fact that we know... all we have to do is look around us every single day. There is greatness. There is greatness. There are examples everywhere. The standard has been set, so that's not a hard thing to figure out. The standard has been set, and it's a standard that we have to work and fight for everyday to live up to.
(On when he figured out that the Tennessee job was a possibility)
"(I did know it was a possibility when I made the statement about coaching again sooner than many people would have thought), yes. Was that Saturday or Sunday? That was Sunday, right? At that point in time, yes, that was something that had been discussed, and it was something I truly wanted to see happen. It really was. I knew at that point in time. I had not been here. But we did have some conversations, and I was just really excited about getting back (to Knoxville) and spending some time with Dave. It's moved quickly, but it's been a great two days. And yes, I knew at that point in time when I made that statement."
(On if he was reenergized and/or motivated because of how things ended at Texas)
"Well, one, I'm a young man, you know? It's an incredible opportunity. And I'll say this, it had to be what it was. It had to be what it was. And I've had friends say to me, `You might want to step back and not be so quick before you decide to do (what you're going to do).' This was before anybody even knew what was going on, but there was never a hesitancy on my part once I had made contact with Tennessee and we started talking. I love coaching. I really do. I love working with young people. (portion of response inaudible). When my time is up, I do want to leave it better than when we found it. And I don't care if I was walking into Pat Summitt's shoes; I'd say the same thing. And that would be hard to do. But I am excited for a lot of reasons. I've been in this part of the country. I've spent a lot of time here. And there are so many resources and some great areas. I know there are some great coaches--high school coaches and places to recruit and to go. So yeah, it's exciting. But I want to do this."
(On the program's need for stability)
"That was one word when Dave and I started talking... well, he and I talked about a lot of things, but the one thing he said to me is, `We've got to create stability.' And to be honest with you, we have to do what we have to do in terms of signing contracts, but I would have dealt with Dave on a handshake because I know what he wants. As you know, Dave Hart knows athletics, and he's made some major impacts in this. But the one thing I know, is his commitment here, and certainly the stability you're talking about. And like I said, I would work for him on a handshake. And I fully expect this to be my last job. And for him, and for this university, I promise you we are going to put together a staff and we're going to go at it as hard as we can go at it. We know we're in a great league, which I think only makes you better. There's obviously a standard that's been set in this league. So again, I'm just excited. I think it's an incredible opportunity."
(On the head coaches now leading programs in the SEC)
"I go back to the Big 12, and it's an incredible group of coaches. Incredible. You go back and look, I don't remember the number off the top of my head, you probably had six or seven guys who coached teams in the Final Four. And you look at this league right now--unbelievable respect for the coaches in this league. And obviously I coached against Frank Martin, and John Calipari and I have grown up together. I know Ben Howland. I could go down the line, (Johnny) Jones... (Johnny's) nephew is one of my son's best friends. They grew up together. I hate to start naming names because obviously I'll forget somebody. Billy Donovan, being at Providence and watching his career... So believe me, it's an incredible league, and it's only going to get better. It's only going to continue to get better because of the exposure of the network. The SEC Network, it's unbelievable what that's going to do for everybody. But that's what it's about. It's about competition. It's about competing every single night. What we want to do is build it, but it's going to be done the way--look, in terms of playing, we aren't going to try to force something on a group of guys that I don't think they can do. So we'll all analyze and assess where we are, but there are certain things in basketball that you've got to do. You've got to defend. You've got to rebound. You've got to take care of the basketball. But the game is going to change. The (shot) clock's going to change a lot if it does go to 30 seconds. And I think in the next couple years there are going to be some other changes. And that will dictate a lot what you're looking for (in recruiting). (Playing) style is going to become a major factor, which it has always been, but the game is going to change a lot over the next couple years.
"Thank you all. I want you all to know I'm so excited to be here, and I look forward to seeing everybody. Thank you."
