ESPN analyst suggests Texas should call Rick Barnes, two others about head coach opening

Filling in on the play-by-play call of Alabama vs. Arkansas Wednesday night, ESPN analyst Jimmy Dykes watched two coaches he wants to see in the mix for the Texas opening. However, he suggested the Longhorns should get in touch with one name first: Rick Barnes.

Dykes dropped Barnes’ name as one Texas should look into to replace Chris Beard as head coach. Barnes coached the Longhorns from 1998-2015, when he was fired after Texas failed to make it to a seventh consecutive Sweet Sixteen. He’s been at Tennessee ever since.

“If I’m Texas, my first phone call is to Rick Barnes to apologize and asking him if he’ll come back, which he’s not going to do,” Dykes said on the ESPN2 broadcast. “That’s the first phone call.”

However, Dykes also stumped for Alabama coach Nate Oats and Arkansas headman Eric Musselman, who were squaring off in a top-15 showdown at Bud Walton Arena Wednesday night.

“Phone call two and three? These guys in the building tonight,” Dykes said.

His partner, Jay Bilas, didn’t sound convinced either coach would be easy for Texas to get, though.

“I don’t think either one of these institutions is going to let those guys go without a fight,” Bilas said.

Texas fired Beard last week in the wake of legal troubles stemming from a December 2022 arrest for felony domestic violence. Multiple names have come up in connection with the opening, including Kentucky coach John Calipari, whose Wildcats are a hot topic of conversation after their up-and-down season.

However, CBS Sports reporter Matt Norlander didn’t sound convinced about Calipari’s chances of landing the job.

“Do I think Texas will kick the tires on Calipari? Sure, but Calipari’s in PR hell right now,” Norlander said. “Do I think he’s Texas’ top target? No. Calipari will be 64 in February and has seemingly lost his fastball.”

Norlander also listed Oats and Musselman as potential targets.