Texas basketball coach Rick Barnes has reportedly been given an ultimatum, and he may decide to not return to the Longhorns for an 18th season.
According to 247Sports, Barnes is not expected to remain at Texas after his team snuck into the NCAA Tournament and was bounced in the first round. One source reportedly told 247Sports that you can “bet the house and double down” that Barnes is out.
On Thursday, a report indicated that the university has told Barnes he needs to make changes to his staff or it will cost him his job. Shuffling his coaching staff likely would buy the veteran coach another season, but he may be unwilling to do that.
Barnes is under contract through 2019 at roughly $2.5 million per season, but Texas can buy him out for $1.5 million after April. While the Longhorns have not reached a Sweet Sixteen since 2008, Barnes has taken the team to the NCAA Tournament 16 out of 17 seasons and is 402-180 in his career at Texas.
Barnes, 60, should be able to find another head coaching job. Perhaps he does not feel it is worth blowing up his staff just to buy himself another year.
