It is not always easy to be a great coach and also a great family man. However, having the right partner and an understanding family can make all the difference. Dedicating his passion to basketball for three decades now, Coach Rick Barnes has become a true legend in college basketball history. In 1977, he started his journey as an assistant coach at North State Academy and served the position for programs like Davidson, Ohio State, and more, before he took upon the role of head coach. In 1987, he set off on his head coaching journey from George Mason, after which he was associated with programs like Providence, Clemson, Texas, and now Tennessee (since 2015).

However, Coach Barnes’ successful devotion to the game has been supported by a great support system, his wife and family, who always supported him. His wife, Candy, took on the responsibility of raising their kids while he was away coaching and scouting student-athletes. So, let’s explore some personal aspects of Coach Barnes’s life.

Meet Rick Barnes’ wife, Candy Barnes

Rick Barnes met Candy when they were in high school. It was a love at first sight for Barnes as the moment he laid eyes on Candy, he instantly grew fond of her. The two started dating during their college years. Since then, their relationship blossomed and they ended up getting married.

Through these years, Candy has been a pillar of strength in Coach Barnes’ life. Married to her high school sweetheart, she shares a strong bond with Barnes and their relationship is filled with unconditional love and mutual support. Just like Barnes, Candy too is a Hickory native. Candy was adopted as a child and is related to the founder of Lenoir-Rhyne, hence, Rhyne is her maiden name.

She graduated from the University of Tennessee with Biology as her major. Now, she actively participates in philanthropic works alongside Coach Barnes like the Tara Hall Home for Boys. More so, she once jumped into the Black Mango Creek to swim with boys to become a part of the group effort and show her support to the organization.

The couple has two children – Nick and Carley. Candy raised the two at home while Barnes poured himself into his work. “Certainly growing up dad was definitely gone, traveling a lot. I think it made it special when he was home,” said Nick, who definitely must have felt the absence of his father.

Even as Coach Barnes attained success in college basketball, his family remained grounded and stayed comfortable in their skin. “Growing up, I just never felt any kind of special thing about being Coach Barnes’ kid because my parents never put themselves as special,” Nick reasoned. Interestingly, this very absence of the pressure kept Nick away from the sport he did like to play.

Coach Barnes’ son, Nick Barnes

Despite having a strong love for basketball, Nick never leaned toward the sport himself. His father never forced him to engage in the game either. Rather, he found his calling in becoming a missionary in his late 20s. Since then, not a day goes by that he doesn’t jump out of bed anxious to spread good vibes.

“I would hope and pray to die overseas. Seeing someone come to faith in Christ that would have never heard the Gospel, there’s nothing else that I could want to live for,” he said.

Devoted like his father, Nick went off to serve his purpose which led his parents to talk with him once a week and see him once a year on holidays only. “We just truly believe he’s in God’s will, that he’s doing exactly what God is calling him to do. He loves it. He has an unbelievable passion for what he’s doing,” said Rick Barnes.

Just like Nick, Coach Barnes’ daughter too has been driven towards something purposeful.

Meet Rick Barnes daughter, Carley Lickteig

Growing up Carley admired her father just as much as he adored her. He never threw away anything he had ever received from his loving daughter.

For instance, when she was just a 6-year-old girl, Carley gave him a rock. He still carries that piece of rock in his pocket while he coaches college basketball players and rubs it for good luck before games. What could be a better example of Rick Barnes’ love for his family?

Similarly, Coach Barnes shares the same level of affection and love for his grandkids as well. Having felt that bond instantly, Barnes transcends into the kids’ world just like that.

Carley and Josh adopted their first child, Caleb Richard, from Uganda. Then, a year and a half later, the couple adopted Avery, their second child, who is now Barnes’ darling grandkids. “I can’t imagine our lives without the two of them,” he described his relationship with his grandkids.

Rick Barnes adores his grandkids so much that he never let a chance go by to make them laugh. Maybe that is why he sent pictures of him to his grandkids after he was hired in Tennessee, showing off the monster trucks and circus animals by Thompson-Boling Arena.

Moreover, he created an amazing memory with his grandson Caleb once when they went to movies in Austin, Rick Barnes rented the entire theater just for themselves. And when the songs came, the two got up and danced together in the aisles.

Simply put, just like he has invested in countless student-athletes to make them better on the court, Coach Barnes has truly set the stage higher in terms of balancing it all with the love and support of his family, which he never shies away from giving back wholeheartedly.