Rick Barnes led Tennessee basketball to two of the best seasons in program history. And he'll be back to chase a third and more.

Barnes will remain the Vols coach, electing to stay in Knoxville after strong interest from UCLA that became public Sunday night and carried through Monday.

"The last few days have been interesting to say the least," athletic director Phillip Fulmer said in a statement. "One of the nation's most tradition-rich basketball programs identified what we here at Tennessee already knew — Rick Barnes is one of the game's elite coaches and a program-changer. His incredible work here at Tennessee over the past four years illustrates that. Additionally, the impact that he and his wife, Candy, have made throughout this community has been immensely inspiring as well. ...

"I’m grateful to Rick and Candy, and I’m also grateful to our university leadership, which stepped up to show Rick how much he is valued and appreciated. Our commitment to basketball has never been stronger, and we’re all excited for the future as we move forward."

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The 64-year-old Barnes has an 88-50 record at Tennessee. He is 42-30 in SEC play, including a 28-8 mark in the past two seasons. He was named the Naismith coach of the year on Sunday, netting his second national coach of the year award for one of the best seasons in Tennessee history.

But his tenure appeared in jeopardy in a 24-hour window when UCLA courted Barnes heavily. According to a source with knowledge of the situation, UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero never reached out to Tennessee for permission to contact Barnes.

He reportedly was offered a contract in the $5-million range, which UT countered later Monday. That sealed the deal for Tennessee, which will keep its coach for a fifth season and beyond.

"The University of Tennessee and East Tennessee as a whole have developed an enhanced love and appreciation for our men’s basketball program and its culture under Rick’s leadership, and I’m thrilled that he will remain a part of our Tennessee Athletics family," Fulmer said.

Barnes was hired at Tennessee following the 2014-15 season after 17 years at Texas. His first two years in Knoxville were average, then he led the Vols to a breakthrough 2017-18 season with 26 wins. Tennessee won a share of the SEC regular-season title for the first time in a decade and reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in Barnes' tenure.

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Barnes' fourth season with the Vols was the best yet. Tennessee tied a program-record with 31 wins and reached the Sweet 16 for the eighth time in program history.

The Hickory, N.C., native has a 692-364 record in 32 seasons as a head coach. He also has been the head coach at George Mason, Providence and Clemson.

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