LEXINGTON, KY –  They say everything in life happens for a reason, and for Tennessee’s Rick Barnes, facing UCLA on Saturday night for a spot in the Sweet Sixteen feels like a full-circle moment. It’s one of those instances where you can’t help but wonder, “What if?”—reflecting on how his career has unfolded, especially considering what might’ve been.

As the Tennessee head coach gears up for tonight’s game against UCLA, he finds himself leading his team against a school that almost lured him away just four years ago.

After a 2019 postseason exit, there was a point when Barnes was on the verge of leaving Knoxville for UCLA, following the firing of Steve Alford. The UCLA job represented a “dream opportunity” for a coach who had achieved nearly everything in college basketball, except for winning a national championship.

Barnes, who grew up watching John Wooden coach UCLA on TV and attended the ‘Campbell College basketball camp’ where Wooden spoke, was captivated by the legendary Bruins coach. He always held UCLA in the highest regard, wondering if there would ever be a moment when he could coach at the same school as one of his heroes.

After guiding Tennessee to 51 wins in the two previous seasons, earning Naismith Coach of the Year honors, and reaching the Sweet Sixteen in 2019, UCLA came calling for Barnes. Even though he’d only been at Tennessee for two years, a job like UCLA’s was one Barnes could hardly ignore.

When UCLA reached out, it was clear Barnes was going to take a serious look at the opportunity on the West Coast.

“I grew up with UCLA basketball, and when I was in eighth grade, my mom and a friend spent $56 to send me to Campbell College basketball camp. The reason I wanted to go was because John Wooden and Pistol Pete Maravich were the featured speakers,” Barnes recalled in 2019.

At the time, few would have blamed Barnes for considering the move. Despite the Vols’ success, there was still a portion of the Tennessee fan base that was frustrated by the idea of him leaving. Even now, the close call with UCLA is occasionally brought up on local radio.

UCLA’s Buyout Issue: A Deal That Wasn’t Meant to Be

So, why didn’t the move to UCLA happen? It wasn’t due to a lack of interest from Barnes—it boiled down to money and a buyout UCLA wasn’t willing to pay. Barnes explained the situation during a 2019 press conference.

There was a lot going on. When you get down to a situation like that, it has to make sense financially. The bottom line is we just couldn’t work it out with the buyout,” Barnes said. “After meeting with UCLA, I told them I couldn’t make any decisions until I talked to Tennessee. I wasn’t going to walk out and not meet with my team.”

In today’s college athletics world, it’s almost laughable that a buyout could stop a school from hiring a coach, given how much money is spent on buyouts for coaches, particularly in college football.

What if UCLA had paid the buyout? Would Tennessee have a different coach now? Barnes, never one to dodge tough questions, offered a direct answer:

“I think I would’ve been the coach at UCLA. I’ve said that before, I really felt that’s what would have happened. But when it came down to it, I prayed for clarity, and when UCLA made their decision, I knew it wasn’t meant to be.”

A Full-Circle Moment for Barnes

Fast forward to now, and Barnes has firmly cemented his legacy at Tennessee. As he faces UCLA again in 2025, he can reflect on everything that’s transpired since that pivotal moment in 2019. He’s not just a coach at Tennessee anymore; he’s a central figure in the school’s basketball lore.

When asked about the UCLA saga, Barnes once again expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be at Tennessee, and praised UCLA’s decision to hire Mick Cronin.

“It was an honor when UCLA called, but ultimately, I felt so blessed to have had the chance to come to Tennessee,” Barnes noted. “I will forever be thankful to Randy Boyd for the commitment he made to me.”

The Future of Rick Barnes at Tennessee

With whispers about Rick Barnes potentially retiring after this season circulating in Knoxville, fans are left wondering if the end of an era is near. In today’s college athletics climate, where the transfer portal and NIL deals dominate, some coaches have walked away from the game.

However, Barnes has adapted to these changes, thriving with transfers like Dalton Knecht while also developing homegrown talent like Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack. Both players have been with Barnes for five years and could be playing their final games at Tennessee, prompting the question: will Barnes retire alongside them?

While no one is suggesting Barnes should walk away just yet, it’s clear he’s been reflecting on the future. Having been involved in college basketball since 1974, he’s undoubtedly thought about when it might be time to step away and enjoy life outside the sport.

On the other hand, there are coaches like Barnes who live and breathe the game, supported by families who stand by them as they continue pacing the sidelines.

As for now, with Tennessee’s current success under his leadership, there’s no telling just how much more Barnes has to give to the game he loves.