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Watch: The college basketball coaching fraternity congratulates Rick Barnes on 800 wins

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•02/25/24•

GrantRamey

Tennessee Dominates Texas A&m, Rick Barnes Talks After His 800th Win

Rick Barnes didn’t talk about himself when he reached 600 wins in 2014. Or when he reached 700 wins in 2019. Or Saturday night, when he reached 800 wins in No. 5 Tennessee’s 86-51 dismantling of Texas A&M at Thompson-Boling Arena. 

“You know what,” Barnes said during his postgame press conference, “it’s really the motto in our program, it’s not about me. And God has truly blessed me with players and coaches, administrations and just certainly a family that has been with me every step of the way. 

“And I’ve been doing a long time, obviously, but I’m just thankful, blessed. And I do know this, that every time that I thought I could do it on my own, it didn’t work. And I just thank God for looking out for me through the years. Because there have been times that I really messed it up and I appreciate him not quitting on me and keeping me where I needed to be.”

Barnes, in his 37th season as a head coach, is just the 15th Division I coach to win 800 games and one of only two active coaches to do so, joining Kentucky’s John Calipari. He’s currently the third winningest Tennessee coach in program history in his ninth season with the Vols, trailing only Ray Mears (278) and Don DeVoe (204).

“I’m really thankful to the players,” Barnes said. “I know what grind they put in every day, and our coaches and people, our program. And I’ve just been blessed, again, with having a chance to be around some wonderful people.”

Tennessee put together a video of coaches from around college basketball — from Roy Williams, the former head coach at North Carolina, to Bill Self at Kansas and Mark Few at Gonzaga, along with a few former assistant coaches under Barnes — to celebrate the 800th win:

Roy Williams, North Carolina 

“Rick Barnes getting ready for a No. 800 win, huh? Rick boy, me and you. How about the two of us? Two old mountain boys winning several basketball games. I love watching your teams plays. You know, you’ve always been a great friend. The most amazing thing is two old boys from the mountains talking about these numbers. The numbers I thought me and you would be on would be on the post office wall, big boy. Congratulations to you. I love watching your teams play. You always have been and always will be a great friend. Congratulations, son.”

Kim English, Providence 

“Coach Barnes. Coach Richard Dale Barnes. Congratulations, 800 wins. That’s incredible and a testament to an incredible career with incredible players. Congratulations to Candy Barnes as well. From George Mason to Providence, to Clemson, Texas, Tennessee. Super proud and honored to have been with you for a couple of those.”

Kelvin Sampson, Houston

“First of all, congratulations, Rick. You’ve been a pillar in this coaching profession for a long time. 800 wins for little Ricky from Hickory. Way back when old Kelvin was playing over at Pembroke State University and you were at Lenoir-Rhyne, I had no idea how I was hanging out with a legend. Hall of Fame coach, Hall of Fame player, and one of the greatest coaches our game has ever known. Congratulations on 800, brother.”

Bill Self, Kansas

“Hey Rick, congratulations on win No. 800 A, it means you’re old. And B, if you hadn’t have been coaching against me for many of those, then you’d probably be stuck around 750 right now. Congrats.”

Rob Lanier, SMU

“Coach, congratulations on 800 wins. I’m so happy for you. I’m so proud to have been a part of your journey. You’ve had such an impact on my life and so many others. It’s a great accomplishment. I know it doesn’t mean a whole lot to you, but man, I’m just so happy for you. Congratulations, and I love you.”

Mark Few, Gonzaga

“Hey, coach Barnes, congrats on your 800th win. Man, what an incredible accomplishment. And I just want to thank you for all you’ve done in my career mentoring me and taking me under your wing when I was a young head coach and for your great friendship. And then also just what a great example you’ve been for a man of faith. You talk it, you walk it, you show it. And it’s had a huge impact on how I coach my team. So congratulations, my friend, and look forward to seeing you down the road.”

Mike Schwartz, East Carolina

“Coach, congratulations on such an awesome accomplishment. Just another milestone that cements you as one of the very best of all time. And as incredible as the 800 wins are, that number pales in comparison to the number of lives you have impacted and truly made better. Thank you, Coach. We all love you so much.”

John Calipari, Kentucky

“Rick, congratulations. 800. You know, you’ve done it everywhere you’ve been. You were an unbelievable assistant coach and now as a head coach, all the places you’ve stopped, you’ve changed them, you’ve elevated (programs). You’ve also taken care of kids, the impact you’ve had on young people. So beyond the 800 wins, let me just say I say this over and over. If I were trying to rebuild, start a program, create a culture, and (had) one guy (to pick), you hire Rick Barnes. He’s done it every stop of the way and he’s done it the right way. Congrats my friend.”

Rodney Terry, Texas

“Coach Barnes, it’s RT down in Austin. Want to congratulate you on No. 800. Wow, what an accomplishment. I think more importantly, the impact that you’ve had on myself, giving me the opportunity you gave me and many others in coaching, the effect that you’ve had on players, what you’ve done to change their lives. We love you more than anything, man. And I’m so happy for you and your family and what you’ve been able to do. And 800, so proud.”

Tom Izzo, Michigan State

“Hey Rick, it’s your good friend Izzo. I’m honored to be able to speak as you get near a milestone 800th win. I’m not even close to that, although you are a year older than I am. But I just want to tell you how proud I am of what you’ve accomplished and maybe more important how you’ve accomplished it. What you’ve done for so many young kids is unbelievable. And knowing you since back in the Ohio State days, and then Texas, and of course now, the incredible job you’ve done at Tennessee. I want to say congratulations ahead of time, get that win. But remember, this is a year that I really believe you have a chance to win it all. So I’ll be pulling for you, as I have my entire career. Except when we played you in that exhibition game and you kicked our butt in our own arena. But good luck Rick, and congratulations on an honor well deserved, especially the way you did it. See you later, buddy.”

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