Jones Welcomes Barnes

As Rick Barnes was being introduced as the Vols’ men’s basketball head coach at Pratt Pavilion, Butch Jones was leading Team 119 through its fourth spring practice over on Haslam Field. But that doesn’t mean that Barnes wasn’t on Jones’ mind as he was on the football field.

When Jones walked to the podium to begin his Tuesday post-practice press, the first thing on his mind was the newest member of the Tennessee athletics family.

“I would like to start off and officially welcome Coach Barnes to the Tennessee family,” Jones began on Tuesday. “Obviously very excited about him being here.”

The pair of coaches spent quality time together on Monday night at a dinner with their wives. Then on Tuesday, Barnes visited with Jones several times as he toured around the Anderson Training Center.

“We are very, very excited,” said Jones of Barnes’ hiring. “You look at the experience that he brings to this institution. Everything is about a fit. Everyone thought he was a great fit. And the time that I spent with him, I agree with that.

“I think that he will be a great fit and I think he will do a great job and looking forward to getting to know him and picking his brain a little bit just with coaching and motivation and all the things that go into it no matter what sport you coach.”