Rick Barnes made an appearance at Lindsey Nelson Stadium over the weekend, which was no surprise considering the Tennessee men’s basketball coach’s background.
Barnes is a baseball fan and has been a regular there over the years. Furthermore, Vols baseball hasn’t been this appealing in decades, as evidenced by a top five national ranking and another SEC series victory, this time over Florida.
The only difference on this visit was that Barnes had new assistant coach Rod Clark with him.
Introductions were in order as they made their way down the concourse.
Clark’s presence reflected the steady stream of news that’s been emanating from the basketball program this spring since a disappointing loss to Oregon State in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Along with staff changes, the roster’s been in flux as well. Any fans coming to Thompson-Boling Arena next fall will need to download a roster first before attending.
Some of this upheaval is the price of impressive recruiting. When the Vols signed five-star prospects Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer, they knew the chances were good that they would depart after one season. Both have declared their intentions of entering the upcoming NBA Draft.
Other changes reflect the shifting tides regarding player mobility. Vols Davonte Gaines, Drew Pember, Corey Walker and EJ Anosike have entered the transfer portal since season’s end. Gaines (George Mason) and Pember (UNC Asheville) already have found new homes. Gaines is joining Kim English, who left Barnes’ staff to become the head coach at George Mason.
Clark was hired from Austin Peay to replace English.
Since the transfer door swings both ways, Justin Powell is coming to UT. The 6-foot-6 guard played one abbreviated season at Auburn, playing in only 10 games after suffering a concussion. He averaged nearly 12 points per game. He had 26 points against Memphis, including seven 3-pointers.
The Vols also have added another signee in Quentin Diboundje. Like departing senior Yves Pons, Diboundje is from France. The 6-6 shooting guard arrived in the United States last August and attended Montverde, Fla., Academy.
Diboundje joined five-star point guard Kennedy Chandler and four-star wing Jahmai Mashack in UT’s signing class.
Regarding the coaching staff, the Vols filled their other opening on Monday, announcing the hire of Justin Gainey, who was the associate head coach at Marquette last season. Gainey replaces former assistant Desmond Oliver, who was named head coach at East Tennessee State last week.
So where do the Vols stand after all of this movement?
Powell and Diboundje presumably will be 3-point shooting threats, which Tennessee needs. They and the rest of the Vols ought to benefit from the presence of an accomplished point guard in Chandler.
Clark previews as a coach with good people skills, which shouldn’t be taken for granted. English’s departure left a void in that regard. Gainey, meanwhile, has 15 years of experience as either a Division I coach or an administrator. Barnes said Gainey has a passion for on-court player development, which fits UT’s approach.
It’s worth noting that forward John Fulkerson still hasn’t announced his intentions. He has the option of playing another season.
A Fulkerson return would be good news if it happens. It’d be better, though, if a capable post player or two decide to join him.
In other words, the Vols need to make more news.
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Dan Fleser is a 1980 graduate of the University of Missouri, who covered University of Tennessee athletics from 1988-2019. He can be reached at danfleser3@gmail.com.