Rick Barnes Has Just Won An Award That Would Make Pat Summitt Proud

Image: WBIR

By Cody McClure

Tennessee Basketball head coach Rick Barnes has achieved a lot in his lifetime.

Thus, it is fitting that today he has been bestowed with a lifetime achievement award.

But it’s not just any lifetime achievement award. It’s the Pat Summitt Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame announced Barnes as the winner this afternoon, in response to his remarkable impact on UT’s culture, character, and development — per a UT release.

Barnes is entering his 11th season with the Vols and his 39th overall as a head coach.

He is Tennessee’s all-time winningest coach. His teams have earned eight consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including back-to-back Elite Eights in the past two seasons.

The program has achieved three SEC championships during that span. Barnes has more than 800 career wins as a head coach.