What's next for Grant Hurst? The Tennessee basketball guard will be a 'little Rick Barnes'

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09-03-2025

Jordan Gainey was floored when he met Grant Hurst.
It was summer 2023 and the pair of guards had arrived as two of the Tennessee basketball newcomers. But nothing about Hurst suggested he was a newcomer. He rattled off scouting reports on every one of his teammates before the Vols even held their first practice.
'I think he will be a little Rick Barnes in the future,' Gainey said. 'He will make a fantabulous coach. He will make a great coach. I just feel like that is who he is.'
Hurst concurs — he is a coach at heart. The redshirt junior has his sights set on the sideline after his Tennessee career concludes, trading in his uniform for a clipboard.
Vols assistant coach Rod Clark called Hurst in June 2023, but that's not how Hurst tells the story.
'I always tell people that God picked up Rod's phone and called me,' said Hurst, who was honored Saturday on senior day after No. 4 Tennessee topped South Carolina 75-65 at Food City Center.
Hurst entered the transfer portal after two seasons (2021-23) at UT Martin. He was looking for a change and was ready to hone in on what he wanted to do. He loves playing basketball. He loves the game itself more, and Tennessee presented him with an opportunity.
'Ultimately, it was sacrificing what would be my playing days for what will be my future,' Hurst said.
The Cleveland High School product had long been told he had a good basketball mind. He was always a play ahead on the court. He's disciplined and focused. He trains hard and loves people.
He felt a pull toward coaching as he noticed it was basketball that was giving him lessons. He took that desire to absorb more knowledge, asking questions and learning. He takes every opportunity to set himself up better to coach.
Hurst, who has scored eight points in 10 games at Tennessee, will figure out his next steps after the season. But he knows he wants to coach in college one day.
'Along with my faith and wanting to spread Jesus, being a coach, there is so much that I know and can show people through coaching,' Hurst said. 'It is such a great opportunity for me as a person."
Hurst can explain how he scouted his teammates before arriving.
He is a Tennessee fan and always was. When he was at UT Martin, he admired Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack. He studied film of Cade Phillips and J.P. Estrella whey they committed. He knew their strengths and weaknesses.
He has parlayed that into being an asset in practices, on the scout team and in games.
'He reminds me of some of the young players I have been around that have gone on to be really successful in coaching,' Barnes said. 'He has a great basketball mind.'
Hurst talks to his teammates during huddles and they respect his voice. He communicates what he sees. He is a calming presence when Barnes is frustrated with the Vols. Hurst delivers teaching well, and his teammates hear the central message.
He has learned how important consistency is from Barnes in addition to a deep understanding of the X's and O's. He admires how Barnes has surrounded himself with good coaches who have strengths.
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Hurst took his biggest lesson from Clark.
'It is all about the relationships,' Hurst said. 'It is all about making connections. That more than anything else is how you create relationships that go the distance when it matters most.'
Barnes has witnessed it. He admires Hurst's people skills, praising his faith and his 'well-grounded' nature. Those attributes make Barnes sure Hurst will be a good coach — and Hurst hopes to make good on Barnes' confidence.
'I can't wait to be a part of the Rick Barnes tree of successful coaches that go elsewhere,' Hurst said. 'Everybody has a place to start. Thankfully, mine has been with him.'
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at [e-mail] and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson or Bluesky @bymikewilson.bsky.social. If you enjoy Mike's coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Grant Hurst has sights on coaching after Tennessee basketball career