BREAKING: Texas Fires Head Basketball Coach Rick Barnes

The Texas Longhorns have fired men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes, according to the American-Statesman.

School officials reportedly reached their final decision Saturday and will make the announcement either Sunday or Monday.

Athletic director Steve Patterson had asked Barnes to change some of his assistant coaches or risk being fired, but after Texas lost to Butler in the NCAA Tournament, Barnes came out in support of his assistant coaches.

Barnes, who was the 11th highest-paid coach in Division I ($2.55 million) last year, has a career record of 604-314 in 28 seasons, including 402 games in 17 seasons at Texas. He led the Longhorns to the NCAA Tournament in 16 of his 17 seasons.

Texas is hoping to hire a replacement within a week, and Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall is their top target.

Follow our Texas Longhorns team page to stay up to date on the Texas coaching search!