It might be time to put Tennessee Vols HC Rick Barnes on retirement watch

After the Tennessee Vols' tough loss to the Purdue Boilermakers in the Elite Eight this past weekend, it might be time to put UT head basketball coach Rick Barnes on retirement watch. 

And before we go any further, I have to make one thing clear -- no one should be blaming Barnes for the loss to Purdue. I know the narrative about Barnes' struggles in March exists, but it's not fair to attach this loss to that narrative. 

Tennessee lost to Purdue for several reasons -- Purdue center Zach Edey received a favorable whistle (specifically on the defensive end of the court), Tennessee was out-rebounded 47-26, and Dalton Knecht was the only Vols player to score in double figures (Knecht was brilliant with 37 points against Purdue). 

The Vols lost to a higher seed in a close game. That's not on Barnes. It just wasn't Tennessee's day. 

When it comes to Barnes' future, though, retirement has to be considered a real possibility for the future Hall of Famer. 

Barnes will turn 70 years old this summer. And with the way college sports have changed over the last several years, it wouldn't be a shock if Barnes decides to hang it up at any point during the offseason. 

Most of Barnes' more famous contemporaries have already called it quits. Roy Williams retired in 2021 at 70 years old. Mike Krzyzewski retired in 2022 at 75 years old. Jay Wright made an even earlier exit from the industry, retiring in 2022 at 61 years old. 

Additionally, legendary college football coach Nick Saban retired earlier this year at age 72. 

Maybe it doesn't happen this offseason -- Barnes still seems as energized as ever. But the end is near for the Hickory, NC native. And based on the way we've seen coaches around his age make surprising retirement announcements in recent years, it has to be a scenario that's on the table for Barnes this offseason and every offseason moving forward. 

If the Vols are going to field another Final Four caliber team in 2024-25, Barnes will have to hit the portal hard. Replacing Knecht, who is off to the NBA after one season at Tennessee, will be nearly impossible. 

Does Barnes decide that the energy it will require to raid the portal is too much at age 70? 

Maybe not. 

But if Barnes announces his retirement at any time between now and the start of fall (early October in 1997 is when legendary UNC coach Dean Smith told then Tar Heels athletic director Dick Baddour that he just didn't have the energy to coach anymore...and North Carolina was returning a team that featured Antawn Jamison and Vince Carter), it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. 

Barnes may not retire this offseason, but I think it's officially time to put the Tennessee coach on retirement watch.