There have been some rumors floating around over the last couple of weeks that Tennessee Vols head coach Rick Barnes could retire after the 2024-25 season. 

Barnes, who has been in college basketball as a player or a coach since 1974, will turn 71 in July. The end of Barnes' career, while maybe not imminent, is undoubtedly getting close. 

On Thursday, ahead of Tennessee's upcoming Sweet 16 matchup with the Kentucky Wildcats, Barnes was asked about the retirement rumors. 

The Hickory, NC native told reporters that he doesn't feel like he's ready to retire quite yet. 

"I think God will make it perfectly clear when he wants me to step down and my time will be up," said Barnes. "But it’s not now. If it is, I don’t feel that. But I love coaching basketball. I love being around it. I know right now how hard we’re working. We’ve already had a young man on campus after we got back on Saturday, Sunday. We had a young man on campus that committed to us. We’re already planning to have a team next year. I fully plan to be a part of it. And, again, I think when my time is up, I truly believe God will make it clear to me where he wants me to go next and do next. But I haven’t thought about that in the least bit."

I think Barnes is being completely open and honest with those comments. I don't believe he has any plans at this moment of retiring. And if he does end up retiring before next season, that's a decision that won't come until after a time of reflection once he's removed from the emotion of the 2024-25 season.