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Texas confirms split with Rick Barnes after 17 seasons

FILE - In this Feb. 2015, file photo, Texas head coach Rick Barnes calls to his players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa State in Austin, Texas. Barnes, who shaped Texas into a national basketball power with three Big 12 championships and 16 NCAA Tournament appearances in 17 years, will be released after yet another quick exit from the postseason, people with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Saturday. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) FILE - In this Feb. 2015, file photo, Texas head coach Rick Barnes calls to his players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa State in Austin, Texas. Barnes, who shaped Texas into a national basketball power with three Big 12 championships and 16 NCAA Tournament appearances in 17 years, will be released after yet another quick exit from the postseason, people with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Saturday. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

By Associated Press March 29, 2015 1 min read

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Texas confirms that basketball coach Rick Barnes is out after 17 seasons with the Longhorns.

The university says in a statement Sunday that Barnes and the school “mutually agreed” he would not return despite leading Texas to 16 NCAA Tournament appearances and three Big 12 titles.

Barnes says he leaves with “no regrets.” He had four years left on his contract and is due a severance payment of $1.75 million.

Barnes was the longest-tenured coach in the Big 12. His 402 wins at Texas rank first in school history. He had only one losing season.

But recent postseason struggles had fans complaining the program had grown stagnant. Texas hasn’t advanced past the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament since 2008 despite rosters loaded with future NBA talent.