Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 17, 2025
Contact: Tennessee Volunteers Athletics Department
Phone: (865) XXX-XXXX
Email: mediarelations@utvols.edu
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Just In: “Now I Know You’ve Lost It, This Old Fool” — Tennessee Vols Athletics Director Trolls Men’s Basketball Head Coach Rick Barnes Over Bold Commitment Decision
Knoxville, TN – In a surprising and unfiltered moment that has sent shockwaves through college athletics, Tennessee Volunteers Athletics Director, [Name], has drawn national attention after a tongue-in-cheek jab at longtime Men’s Basketball Head Coach Rick Barnes. The comment came during a private team function that was later leaked and confirmed by multiple sources close to the program.
The now-viral phrase, “Now I know you’ve lost it, this old fool,” was reportedly said in jest, but delivered in response to Coach Barnes’ recent and highly unexpected decision to turn down a major, multi-million-dollar coaching offer from a high-profile NCAA program. The offer, according to insiders, would have made Barnes one of the highest-paid coaches in college basketball.
Coach Rick Barnes, 70, who has led the Vols since 2015, shocked his peers and fans alike when he reaffirmed his loyalty to the Tennessee program, citing “unfinished business” and a deep personal connection with the university and its players. While many lauded the decision as a testament to character and values, others, including the Athletics Director himself, couldn’t help but tease the veteran coach over passing up such a massive opportunity.
“Look, we’re all stunned. We love Rick and trust his judgment, but you’ve got to admit it takes a special kind of dedication — or madness — to turn down a deal like that,” the Athletics Director later clarified, smiling during a press availability. “That comment was made among friends, in fun, but also with a bit of disbelief. I respect the hell out of the man.”
The frictionless relationship between Barnes and the Athletics Department has always been publicly harmonious, with Barnes credited for stabilizing and elevating the Vols’ basketball profile nationally. His decision to stay is being celebrated across Knoxville, with fans expressing admiration for a coach choosing loyalty over luxury.
The unnamed competing program has not been officially disclosed, though speculation points toward a coastal powerhouse that recently saw its head coach depart amid controversy. The reported offer included extensive control over recruiting and operations — privileges few programs offer — in addition to lucrative endorsements.
This moment of internal ribbing between two seasoned sports figures underscores the often unseen camaraderie and blunt honesty that defines high-level athletics. Those close to Barnes insist that the coach took the joke in stride and even laughed when the comment was repeated by players during practice.
“It’s just who we are,” Barnes said. “We keep each other grounded around here. I’ve been called worse on the court — mostly by referees. I know the AD meant it with love, and I’m not going anywhere. This is my home.”
Despite the humor, the incident has opened up broader conversations in sports media about the weight of loyalty in modern college athletics, where financial deals often dictate career moves. Barnes’ decision is being held up as an increasingly rare act of devotion to a team and community.
In the end, Tennessee retains a coach with a proven track record, a strong recruiting class, and a passionate fan base. If anything, the AD’s quip may have cemented a stronger narrative: in Knoxville, it’s not always about the money —
it’s about the mission.
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