Sources: Rick Barnes Out as Head Coach

According to ESPN, and multiple sources, Texas has fired Rick Barnes after 17 seasons coaching the men’s basketball team.

Sources confirmed that Steve Patterson, the University of Texas athletic director, informed Barnes that he will not be coaching the Longhorns next season.

Despite a recent skid and lowered expectations, Barnes saw plenty of success leading the burnt orange.

Barnes finished his career at Texas with 402 wins, including three conference championships, 16 trips to the NCAA Tournament (making the trip in each of his first 14 seasons), and one trip to the NCAA Final Four in 2003.

However, criticism persisted throughout his career concerning his perceived inability to take top notch talent, such as Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge and TJ Ford, to an NCAA Championship.

Now, conversation steers toward who will succeed Barnes as the Texas men’s basketball program hopes to become an annual contender in March.

Wichita State’s Gregg Marshall and VCU’s Shaka Smart are names currently being tossed around as possibilities. However, no one has confirmed or denied any mutual interest.