
Barnes fired!
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Barnes fired!
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- Bankermane
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- Greenhead22
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- Greenhead22
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March 4, 2006
Ole Miss basketball coach out
Athletic director wouldn't say if Barnes was fired or had resigned
By Robbie Neiswanger
rneiswanger@clarionledger.com
BARNES RECORD
Career record: 141 – 107
Seasons at Ole Miss: 8
NCAA tournament appearances: 3
OXFORD — University of Mississippi basketball coach Rod Barnes' eight-year tenure with the Rebels is ending.
Ole Miss athletic director Pete Boone said Barnes, 40, would not be retained next season. The decision was announced two days after Ole Miss lost its final home game against Vanderbilt.
The loss was Ole Miss' 11th in the past 12 games.
"I was looking for a bright spot," Boone said Friday night. "But looking at everything (Thursday), I kind of came to a conclusion."
Boone didn't specify whether Barnes was fired or had resigned. But Barnes will coach the rest of the season, including today's regular-season finale at No. 21-ranked LSU.
When reached Friday, Barnes would not comment.
Barnes told his family about the decision, then spoke with coaches during a staff meeting, according to a university spokesperson. He addressed players before Ole Miss held its regularly-scheduled practice Friday.
Barnes' status has been in question since Feb. 21, when Boone called the season "disappointing" and would not address Barnes' future. Ole Miss has lost three games since and has fallen to last place in the SEC Western Division standings.
Boone said Ole Miss has no timetable for hiring a new coach. In the next few days, he'll iron out plans for the school's search process.
Boone said he is expecting plenty of feedback from quality candidates.
"We don't feel like we have to just rush in and start making phone calls," Boone said. "We'll be diligent and develop a process. We'll probably know a lot more next week.
"It's a good program in a good conference. It's just a matter of finding the right person that fits," he said.
Boone met with Chancellor Robert Khayat on Thursday. He informed Barnes of his decision during a 30-minute meeting Friday.
"It was extremely difficult," Boone said. "It was kind of an emotional decision. I've known him for a long, long time, and he's represented the university in such a wonderful way in the public and nationally. But my job is to do what's in the best interest of Ole Miss.
"You have to make those calls sometimes," Boone said.
Barnes signed a new four-year contract that paid $600,000 annually before last season's SEC Tournament.
Barnes earns $150,000 a year from state funds.
The rest comes from a private contract with the Ole Miss Loyalty Foundation.
Barnes' buyout is equivalent to about one year's salary.
Barnes, who has won 141 games and lost 107 in eight seasons, is four wins shy of tying B.L. "Country" Graham for the school record in coaching wins.
A 1988 Ole Miss graduate and former All-SEC guard, Barnes also spent five seasons on former coach Rob Evans' staff (1993-98).
Barnes, a Bentonia native, had been named Naismith national coach of the year after leading the Rebels to a school-record, 27 victories and the basketball program's first appearance in the NCAA Tournament's round of 16.
His first four teams won 20, 19, 27 and 20 games and reached the NCAA Tournament three of those four seasons.
Since then, Ole Miss has won 14, 13, 14 and 14 games and missed postseason play the past three seasons.
Ole Miss is 55-61 during that stretch, including a 17-46 mark in the SEC.
"I've always had tremendous respect for (Barnes), and that respect has only grown since Brian has been playing for him," said Kentucky coach Tubby Smith, whose son, Brian, plays at Ole Miss. "He's meant an awful lot to the SEC. Rod has done things the right way. He's been a great competitor but always displayed class and dignity.
"I know he's put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into that program as a player and coach. That makes the decision especially disappointing."
Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury said he also respects Barnes even though they were rivals.
"There's no team in the country, anywhere, that a coach got their kids to play harder than Rod Barnes did," Stansbury said.
"I think that's the mark of a good coach," Stansbury said. "Unfortunately, in this profession, we're judged too much by W's and L's. That's the lay of the land. But it sure has nothing to do with how good of a coach Rod Barnes is. I have a lot of respect for him as a person."
Ole Miss basketball coach out
Athletic director wouldn't say if Barnes was fired or had resigned
By Robbie Neiswanger
rneiswanger@clarionledger.com
BARNES RECORD
Career record: 141 – 107
Seasons at Ole Miss: 8
NCAA tournament appearances: 3
OXFORD — University of Mississippi basketball coach Rod Barnes' eight-year tenure with the Rebels is ending.
Ole Miss athletic director Pete Boone said Barnes, 40, would not be retained next season. The decision was announced two days after Ole Miss lost its final home game against Vanderbilt.
The loss was Ole Miss' 11th in the past 12 games.
"I was looking for a bright spot," Boone said Friday night. "But looking at everything (Thursday), I kind of came to a conclusion."
Boone didn't specify whether Barnes was fired or had resigned. But Barnes will coach the rest of the season, including today's regular-season finale at No. 21-ranked LSU.
When reached Friday, Barnes would not comment.
Barnes told his family about the decision, then spoke with coaches during a staff meeting, according to a university spokesperson. He addressed players before Ole Miss held its regularly-scheduled practice Friday.
Barnes' status has been in question since Feb. 21, when Boone called the season "disappointing" and would not address Barnes' future. Ole Miss has lost three games since and has fallen to last place in the SEC Western Division standings.
Boone said Ole Miss has no timetable for hiring a new coach. In the next few days, he'll iron out plans for the school's search process.
Boone said he is expecting plenty of feedback from quality candidates.
"We don't feel like we have to just rush in and start making phone calls," Boone said. "We'll be diligent and develop a process. We'll probably know a lot more next week.
"It's a good program in a good conference. It's just a matter of finding the right person that fits," he said.
Boone met with Chancellor Robert Khayat on Thursday. He informed Barnes of his decision during a 30-minute meeting Friday.
"It was extremely difficult," Boone said. "It was kind of an emotional decision. I've known him for a long, long time, and he's represented the university in such a wonderful way in the public and nationally. But my job is to do what's in the best interest of Ole Miss.
"You have to make those calls sometimes," Boone said.
Barnes signed a new four-year contract that paid $600,000 annually before last season's SEC Tournament.
Barnes earns $150,000 a year from state funds.
The rest comes from a private contract with the Ole Miss Loyalty Foundation.
Barnes' buyout is equivalent to about one year's salary.
Barnes, who has won 141 games and lost 107 in eight seasons, is four wins shy of tying B.L. "Country" Graham for the school record in coaching wins.
A 1988 Ole Miss graduate and former All-SEC guard, Barnes also spent five seasons on former coach Rob Evans' staff (1993-98).
Barnes, a Bentonia native, had been named Naismith national coach of the year after leading the Rebels to a school-record, 27 victories and the basketball program's first appearance in the NCAA Tournament's round of 16.
His first four teams won 20, 19, 27 and 20 games and reached the NCAA Tournament three of those four seasons.
Since then, Ole Miss has won 14, 13, 14 and 14 games and missed postseason play the past three seasons.
Ole Miss is 55-61 during that stretch, including a 17-46 mark in the SEC.
"I've always had tremendous respect for (Barnes), and that respect has only grown since Brian has been playing for him," said Kentucky coach Tubby Smith, whose son, Brian, plays at Ole Miss. "He's meant an awful lot to the SEC. Rod has done things the right way. He's been a great competitor but always displayed class and dignity.
"I know he's put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into that program as a player and coach. That makes the decision especially disappointing."
Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury said he also respects Barnes even though they were rivals.
"There's no team in the country, anywhere, that a coach got their kids to play harder than Rod Barnes did," Stansbury said.
"I think that's the mark of a good coach," Stansbury said. "Unfortunately, in this profession, we're judged too much by W's and L's. That's the lay of the land. But it sure has nothing to do with how good of a coach Rod Barnes is. I have a lot of respect for him as a person."
- Greenhead22
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- Woodduckdawg
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i wish coach barnes the best.. good man and a good coach..
winning and losing the bottom line at this level .. he just had too many losses..
this year just collapsed on him from 13-3 and 3-0 to where he is now..
almost all coachs fall into two catagorys. those who have been fired and those who will be fired.. rod just moved from one category to the next..
good luck to coach barnes in his future endavores
winning and losing the bottom line at this level .. he just had too many losses..
this year just collapsed on him from 13-3 and 3-0 to where he is now..
almost all coachs fall into two catagorys. those who have been fired and those who will be fired.. rod just moved from one category to the next..
good luck to coach barnes in his future endavores
"Ya ever work beef Billy?"
- Po Monkey Lounger
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I really like Rod Barnes as a person. So, his departure from UM is a sad occasion. He represented Ole Miss, both as a player and a coach, with class. He did not cheat. He tried to make his players into better men and students, often serving as a surrogate father figure. Many of his players graduated, earning their degrees. Early in his coaching career, with better players, he was able to win ----and win big with respect to the previous sad history of Ole Miss basketball. But, the Rebs just ended their 4th straight losing season. Any "magic" that Barnes had early in his coaching tenure at UM, has now been lost, just as the fan support at games. The other things are important, but ultimately a head coach is judged primarily by wins and loses, especially in the competitive SEC. And lately, the Reb basketball team has simply not been that competitive in SEC play.
It was time for Barnes and UM to part ways. I will remember the good things Barnes accomplished, as opposed to the last 4 years.
It is time for a change at UM, for the good of the basketball program. A new coach, with perhaps new ideas of how things should be done, could do wonders for the program.
Barnes is only 40 years old. IF he desires to continue coaching basketball, I feel certain that some team somewhere will give him that opportunity as a head coach ---perhaps some mid-major program where the expectations are not very high. Or, he might land a job as an assistant at a major basketball power. I think the first scenario is the most likely.
Good luck to Rod Barnes in the future.
It was time for Barnes and UM to part ways. I will remember the good things Barnes accomplished, as opposed to the last 4 years.
It is time for a change at UM, for the good of the basketball program. A new coach, with perhaps new ideas of how things should be done, could do wonders for the program.
Barnes is only 40 years old. IF he desires to continue coaching basketball, I feel certain that some team somewhere will give him that opportunity as a head coach ---perhaps some mid-major program where the expectations are not very high. Or, he might land a job as an assistant at a major basketball power. I think the first scenario is the most likely.
Good luck to Rod Barnes in the future.
- weimhunter
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bigwater wrote:i wish coach barnes the best.. good man and a good coach..
winning and losing the bottom line at this level .. he just had too many losses..
this year just collapsed on him from 13-3 and 3-0 to where he is now..
almost all coachs fall into two catagorys. those who have been fired and those who will be fired.. rod just moved from one category to the next..
good luck to coach barnes in his future endavores
Who is typing this under Bigwaters screen name? There aint no way that came out of Bigs mine.

po monk.. ya wrong about one thing.. you say that ya think maybe rod can get a job at a mid-major where the "expectations" aint to high..
wrong.. those dam mid majors play some dam good basketball.. i'd say that they have some pretty lofty expectations as well...
you watch every year.. some unthought of mid major makes a run into the sweet 16... the reality is that those mid majors aint too scared of the big boys..
still though i think rod will coach again..
wrong.. those dam mid majors play some dam good basketball.. i'd say that they have some pretty lofty expectations as well...
you watch every year.. some unthought of mid major makes a run into the sweet 16... the reality is that those mid majors aint too scared of the big boys..
still though i think rod will coach again..
"Ya ever work beef Billy?"
- RebelYelp
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bigwater wrote:po monk.. ya wrong about one thing.. you say that ya think maybe rod can get a job at a mid-major where the "expectations" aint to high..
wrong.. those dam mid majors play some dam good basketball.. i'd say that they have some pretty lofty expectations as well...
you watch every year.. some unthought of mid major makes a run into the sweet 16... the reality is that those mid majors aint too scared of the big boys..
still though i think rod will coach again..
hush bigwater, you're bringing up horrible memories of Valpo......
Sun rise in the east.... and it sets up in the West, yes the sun rise in east baby, and it sets up in the west..... It's hard to tell, hard to tell, hard to tell, which one, which one I love best.....
- RebelYelp
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ansu might not have been the brightest person on the world, btu he was a hell of a basketball player 

Sun rise in the east.... and it sets up in the West, yes the sun rise in east baby, and it sets up in the west..... It's hard to tell, hard to tell, hard to tell, which one, which one I love best.....
- Greenhead22
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