Tennessee Extends Barnes’ Deal Through 2027-28 – Tennessee has extended coach Rick Barnes’ contract through the 2027-28 campaign, which should leave no doubt he will wrap up his Hall of Fame career with the Volunteers.
Athletic director Danny White on Tuesday announced the extension, which adds a year onto Barnes’ contract with no change in his supplemental pay of $5.75 million for each of the final two years. White said it was a thrill to keep building the program that Barnes has developed.
“Our fans have responded to help create an electric atmosphere on game days, and I can’t wait to watch the Vols continue our quest for more championships under Rick’s leadership,” White said in a statement.
Barnes, who turned 69 years old in July, is going into his ninth season at the helm at Tennessee and 37th overall as a head coach. He is 779-406 in his career and currently 15th all-time for most Division I victories.
Under Barnes, Tennessee has made five straight trips to the ‘Big Dance’, NCAA tournaments, won at least 25 games four times and has been a top four seed in the NCAA tournament four times. Talk about a model of consistency. The Vols have appeared in the Associated Press Top 25 under Barnes 38 times, spending four weeks ranked No. 1.
Tennessee has 144 wins since the start of the 2017-18 season, the most in the Southeastern Conference. The Vols tied the school record with 31 wins in 2019 and reached the Sweet 16. They are 108-22 on their home floor in Barnes’ eight seasons, going undefeated at home in the 2018-19 and 2021-22 seasons.
“I’m thrilled that we can continue being a part of that positive momentum on campus,” Barnes said. “I’m extremely blessed and don’t take any of it for granted. It’s an exciting time to be a Vol.”
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Iowa’s Clark Wins Sullivan Award – Caitlin Clark adds yet another award to her growing trophy case.
Iowa Hawkeye basketball star Clark won the 93rd AAU James E. Sullivan Award on Tuesday night as the nation’s top collegiate or Olympic athlete.
Clark was honored at the New York Athletic Club. Voting by the public as well as the AAU Sullivan Award committee, AAU board of directors, sports media and past winners decided who the winner would be.
The award also recognizes leadership, citizenship, character, and sportsmanship on and off the playing field.
“I am incredibly humbled,” Clark said. “It is an honor to be selected for this prestigious award that elects a student-athlete that excels on the court and off. All the finalists are equally as deserving. It is special to represent the University of Iowa on this stage.”
Clark was the consensus national player of the year in women’s basketball. She led the Hawkeyes to their first national title game appearance, where they lost to the LSU Tigers. She was the first player in Division I women’s history to record over 1,000 points and 300 assists in the same season.
The other finalists were former LSU baseball player Dylan Crews, who was drafted by the Washington Nationals, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, Tennessee swimmer Jordan Crooks, Olympic swimmer Kate Douglass and Purdue basketball player Zach Edey.
Clark is the eighth basketball player to win the award.
