Chis Beard named Ole Miss Coach two months after Texas fired him

Beard, who has an overall record of 237-98, has led three programs to the NCAA tournament since 2016, including an appearance in the 2019 national championship game and a Texas Tech Elite Eight appearance in 2018. He has an 11-5 Record in NCAA tournament games. In two seasons in Texas, he had a 29-13 record that included a 22-12 mark in his freshman season and a second-round finish at the 2022 NCAA tournament.

“We have thoroughly evaluated a number of outstanding candidates and there is no doubt that Coach Beard is one of the best coaches in the nation. After careful consideration and speaking to a number of people on and off the pitch, it was clear he was the right person to lead our team to excellence,” Keith Carter, vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics, said in a statement.

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“At every stop in his career, Coach Beard has proven himself to be a programmer and dynamic leader whose teams show tireless dedication. He is a tireless recruiter, developing talent to reach their greatest potential. He has coached at multiple levels of college basketball and competed for championships at every school. Simply put, Coach Beard is a winner and Ole Miss Basketball’s best years are yet to come under his leadership.”

Mississippi fired Kermit Davis on February 24, with three games remaining in the season and the Rebels’ record of 10-18 overall (2-13 in the SEC). They were 1-2 in their last three regular season games under caretaker coach Win Case. The Rebels have not gone to the NCAA tournament since 2019 and have not advanced to the Sweet 16 since 2013. Davis was 74-79 in school.

“I am honored to join the Ole Miss family and look forward to starting at this great university,” Beard, the Associated Press’s 2019 national coach of the year, said in a statement. “I cannot express how grateful I am to Chancellor [Glenn] Boyce, Keith Carter and the rest of the selection committee for believing in me to lead this program. I am very much looking forward to being an active part of the Oxford community.

“I know we have one of the best venues in the country in the SJB Pavilion and we will work tirelessly to build a championship-level program. I can’t wait to connect with our players and recruits and start this journey together. Hot toddy!”