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Report: Ole Miss expected to hire Chris Beard as next head coach

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•03/13/23•

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(Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)

Former Texas coach Chris Beard is expected to be the next head coach at Ole Miss, according to Jeff Goodman. The announcement is expected this week, amid March Madness.

“BREAKING: Ole Miss is expected to hire former Texas coach Chris Beard within in the next 24-48 hours, source told @stadium,” Goodman wrote on Twitter.

Last week, Beard emerged as the top candidate for the Rebels’ opening, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Beard, who is viewed one of the top coaches in college basketball, would be considered a tremendous hire for Ole Miss. He has experience winning in the NCAA Tournament, dating back to his days at Texas Tech. A Final Four and national championship appearance is on the resume — something the Rebels have never accomplished.

In fact, only nine appearances have occurred in program history. A 2001 Sweet Sixteen is the furthest Ole Miss has ever gone, coming under Rod Barnes as a three-seed.

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Beard  won over 70% of his games coached, both overall (237-98) and in the NCAA Tournament. He is 10-4 in the big dance and quite possibly could have added multiple wins this year with Texas.

Statement on Chris Beard hire

Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter is more than exuberant to bring in Chris Beard as Kermit Davis’ replacement, as he explained in his warm, welcoming statement regarding the hire.

“We are excited to welcome Coach Beard and his daughters, Avery, Ella and Margo, to the Ole Miss family,” Carter said, via the press release. “We thoroughly evaluated a number of outstanding candidates, and there is no doubt Coach Beard is one of the top coaches in the nation. After conducting due diligence and speaking to a number of individuals on and off the court, it was evident he is the right person to guide our team to greatness. 
 
“At each stop in his career, Coach Beard has proven to be a program builder and a dynamic leader whose teams exhibit relentless effort. He is a tireless recruiter and develops talent to reach their greatest potential. He has coached at multiple levels of college basketball and has competed for championships at every school. Simply put, Coach Beard is a winner, and Ole Miss Basketball’s best years are ahead of us under his leadership.”