AUSTIN, Texas — Rick Barnes said Texas athletic director Steve Patterson told him a week ago he’d return for another season, but “some things changed” and he was fired by the school on Sunday.
Barnes insisted at a farewell news conference he’s not bitter about the dismissal, but he said he was “shocked” by what he said were athletic department leaks to the media in recent days that he was being pressured to fire his assistant coaches to save his own job.
Barnes said several staff members offered to quit but he refused. He said he didn’t want to give up control over his staff.
Patterson did not attend the news conference. The school said in a statement the two sides parted by mutual consent. Barnes said he told Patterson he wanted to stay.
He had four years left on his contract and is due a severance payment of $1.75 million.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.