Ole Miss hires Chris Beard as men’s basketball coach

Ole Miss has hired Chris Beard as the Rebels’ next men’s basketball coach, the school announced Monday.

ESPN reported last week that Beard had emerged as the leading candidate for the job, that the two sides had been in contact and that Ole Miss officials had done their due diligence before hiring the former Texas coach.

“I am excited to join the Ole Miss family and get started at this great university,” Beard said in a statement. “I cannot express how grateful I am to Chancellor Boyce, [vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics] Keith Carter and the rest of the search committee for believing in me to lead this program. I’m really looking forward to being an active part of the Oxford community. I know we have one of the best venues in the country at SJB Pavilion, and we are going to work tirelessly to build a championship potential program. I can’t wait to join my players and recruits and start this journey together. Hotty Toddy!”

Beard was fired by the Longhorns in January following his arrest on December 12. According to authorities, her fiancé, Randy Trew, called 911 and told officers that he choked her, bit her and hit her from behind when the two argued.

True released a statement on 23 December in which she denied telling police that Beard choked her and said she “initiated a physical struggle” with Beard. On February 15, Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza reviewed the evidence and took into account True’s wish not to prosecute Beard, after which the charges were dropped.

Garza’s office determined that the allegations could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

“I am pleased to announce that the charges against me have been dismissed,” Beard said in a statement at the time. “While I have always believed in the truth and this outcome, it has been extremely challenging to wait patiently and not react publicly. I am sorry and deeply remorseful to my family, friends, all of our players and staff, both Recent and past, and everyone at my alma mater The University of Texas.”

Beard was linked to the Ole Miss job after the school fired Kermit Davis on February 24. Davis went 74–79 over five seasons and failed to reach the NCAA tournament after his first season there.

“We are excited to welcome Coach Beard and his daughters, Avery, Ella and Margo, to the Ole Miss family,” Carter said. “We have thoroughly evaluated several outstanding candidates, and there is no doubt that Coach Beard is one of the top coaches in the country. After doing due diligence and speaking with numerous individuals on and off the court, it is clear that He is a top coach. The right person to lead our team to greatness.”

Beard’s coaching skills are considered among the best in college basketball. He led Texas Tech to the national title game in 2019 and has coached three different programs to the NCAA tournament since 2016.

He was in his second season at Texas with a team that reached the AP Top 10 before his dismissal.