Barnes fires back at Pruitt allegations

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Maybe so…. But Pruitt is fair game himself in court. Let’s open this book and see how it reads. UT already has a black eye. Let’s see what the chapters of UGa and Bama have to say….

It’s not like he can throw football under the bus because he was the head man in charge….

Pruitt is not a 200mm dollar annual brand. He has nothing to lose, and 12mm to gain. We cant gamble with our brand right now.

 

[walkenvol]

If our stance to the NCAA is “unbeknownst to us we discovered our football coach was paying players. We took immediate action and cleaned house”, then how can we settle and still sell it to the NCAA?

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

If our stance to the NCAA is “unbeknownst to us we discovered our football coach was paying players. We took immediate action and cleaned house”, then how can we settle and still sell it to the NCAA?

Because the NCAA is chock full of lawyers and they understand that litigation typically costs more than settling. Plus they understand the PR aspect of a protracted battle that would reflect poorly on ALL parties. The NCAA isn’t dumb. They know that everybody cheats. They just don’t want to let the blatantly obvious and sloppy goings on to draw more bad publicity. The NCAA would probably prefer that TN pays off Pruitt if he keeps his Skoal stained mouth shut.

 

[MinisterofDef#92]

It's actually hilarious some of yall think Barnes is squeaky clean. Yall really think he's pulling kids over Duke Unc Kansas etc.... without something extra? That's hilarious

What's hilarious is your certainty CRB must be doing something "extra" without citing any proof. You do understand there are other factors and dynamics at play and that both may be true - players are getting something "extra" while CRB is not directly involved. If you have paid any attention at all to college athletics over the last couple of decades it has become very clear that boosters and assistant coaches know what needs to be done and they do it in ever more sophisticated ways to hide it. To automatically assume the head coach must know, let alone be directly involved as you have claimed, is a bit naive based on the empirical data (and, yes, some head coaches are stupid enough to be get involved a la Will Wade but most are smarter than that).

While your claims may ultimately be proven true, my guess is CRB is not directly involved at all and he is not aware of any illegal activities. Lastly, everyone assumes some kids are getting something extra in any major college sports program so that is not a novel concept.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

What's hilarious is your certainty CRB must be doing something "extra" without citing any proof. You do understand there are other factors and dynamics at play and that both may be true - players are getting something "extra" while CRB is not directly involved. If you have paid any attention at all to college athletics over the last couple of decades it has become very clear that boosters and assistant coaches know what needs to be done and they do it in ever more sophisticated ways to hide it. To automatically assume the head coach must know, let alone be directly involved as you have claimed, is a bit naive based on the empirical data (and, yes, some head coaches are stupid enough to be get involved a la Will Wade but most are smarter than that).

While your claims may ultimately be proven true, my guess is CRB is not directly involved at all and he is not aware of any illegal activities. Lastly, everyone assumes some kids are getting something extra in any major college sports program so that is not a novel concept.

I think that the reason some of us refer to CRB as The Deacon might have a lot to do with him sometimes pulling recruits away from the blue bloods. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen TN’s roster so full of high moral individuals and players of outstanding character. He’s responsible for building that culture. He also offers a high level of developmental opportunities in his program. He doesn’t bring in thugs and perhaps some fine young men and their parents just see the benefits of being part of what he’s done with TN basketball.

 

[lostsheep]

What's hilarious is your certainty CRB must be doing something "extra" without citing any proof. You do understand there are other factors and dynamics at play and that both may be true - players are getting something "extra" while CRB is not directly involved. If you have paid any attention at all to college athletics over the last couple of decades it has become very clear that boosters and assistant coaches know what needs to be done and they do it in ever more sophisticated ways to hide it. To automatically assume the head coach must know, let alone be directly involved as you have claimed, is a bit naive based on the empirical data (and, yes, some head coaches are stupid enough to be get involved a la Will Wade but most are smarter than that).

While your claims may ultimately be proven true, my guess is CRB is not directly involved at all and he is not aware of any illegal activities. Lastly, everyone assumes some kids are getting something extra in any major college sports program so that is not a novel concept.

Couldn't agree more. Love Barnes and what he has done for our program, but fans that act as if our program is getting top-notch talent these last few years just because parents want their kids to be coached by a Sunday school teacher are delusional.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Chris Lowe just interviewed Barnes and asked him about Pruitt pointing a finger at him. Barnes roasted him while being nice about it. Said that there were a lot of people supportive of Pruitt while he was here. That Pruitt needs to take responsibility for his own actions. Closed by saying that it is an unfortunate situation and HE IS PRAYING for Pruitt and his family. Great burn by the Deacon.

 

[USAFgolferVol]

Couldn't agree more. Love Barnes and what he has done for our program, but fans that act as if our program is getting top-notch talent these last few years just because parents want their kids to be coached by a Sunday school teacher are delusional.

That's exactly why Keon's parents wanted him to play here. He didn't need the money. I'm not saying he didn't get paid, but it's not the reason he went to UT. Same situation for Springer too

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

Couldn't agree more. Love Barnes and what he has done for our program, but fans that act as if our program is getting top-notch talent these last few years just because parents want their kids to be coached by a Sunday school teacher are delusional.

For sure, they also have to factor in the way his former players revere him, his reputation for development, and the trendlines for this UT and the OTHER ut after his arrival here. But for sure, some people will place a higher value on VALUES of the HC and staff. But if we were actively involved in the underhanded activities you can bet that his bosses would have limited his response to a guy that has demonstrated he does not have as high regard for values. I am sure every staff pushes the envelope within the rules and some, but not all, cross the lines. Some go way beyond the lines. I don't think Barnes is one of those and have never seen a former player even hint he has. Even those that have transferred out and have no reason to protect him. Bet fans who want to infer he cheats to get the highly ranked guys here because it goes on elsewhere are not high on his list either. In fact SOME of the misses might actually support the other side of that argument. Don't see Barnes turning a blind eye to staff or booster indiscretions. Not proposing him for sainthood, but I am proud we don't have a guy with challenged ethics at the top of our program. I loved Pearl's on court persona and results, but he seems to live to close to the edge everywhere he goes. I sleep better at nights since Barnes will not add to the Pruitt drain on our program.

 

[vollygirl]