The head coach of the top-ranked team in men’s college basketball says his Christian faith helps him keep sports in perspective when facing criticism. Rick Barnes has guided Tennessee to the No. 1 ranking in every major basketball poll thanks to an undefeated record and victories over Louisville, Virginia, Baylor, Syracuse, Miami, and Illinois. ESPN analyst Joe Lunardi says the Vols are a favorite for a No. 1 seed.
During his 10 seasons, Barnes has guided the Vols to two SEC regular season titles, one SEC Tournament title, six appearances in the NCAA tournament and, last year, a run to the Elite Eight for only the second time in program history.
Basketball analyst Jon Rothstein asked Barnes last week how he balances letting “a Final Four and winning a national title drive you” without allowing it to “define you.”
“Well, honestly, John, me, personally, my makeup and who I am is not into me being a coach,” Barnes said. “Years ago, that would have been a lie.
“But my relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important thing in my life to me to this day. And I’m going to work every day. I don’t know what tomorrow is going to bring. …I’ve got to worry about today and today only. We’re getting ready to go to practice in 35 minutes. I know exactly what we need to get done today. And the guys are in exams — they’ve got a lot more on their mind. But for the next couple of hours, I need them to focus on what we need to get done so we don’t waste today.
“And I feel like every day is a gift from God, and I want to do everything I can to glorify Him in everything that I do, and be the best I can be with everybody I come in contact with — and let people know that that’s what I’m about. That’s what’s important to me. Am I blessed to have this job? Absolutely, 100 percent I am, and I want to make the most of it. I want to leave it better than we found it, but I’m driven in a different way than I was years ago, and that’s why I continue to do what I do.”
Barnes acknowledged that years ago, he had become too consumed with basketball, neglecting his spiritual life.
“My daughter and my son sat me down one day and just flat out told me the truth that I had no chance of eternal life with Jesus Christ if I didn’t change,” he said.
At the time, he was selfish and greedy, he said.
“You get caught up in the world. You start living in your flesh as opposed to what I would call in the Spirit of God. This world can take you down a lot of different rabbit holes,” he said. “… I wasn’t the father I should have been.