WATCH: Texas Tech fans viciously heckle Chris Beard in return to Lubbock
Some are calling Tuesday night’s Texas matchup the most important in Texas Tech basketball history. Former head coach Chris Beard will be returning to Lubbock for the first time since he left and tensions are going to be high at United Supermarkets Arena.
A night before the game, the Longhorns squad arrived, including Beard. He was met outside of the hotel with a crowd of Red Raiders fans who were ready to voice their displeasure of the head coach.
You can watch the full sequence here. Warning — there is some strong language.
Beard spent five seasons with the Red Raiders, rebuilding a program that had not won an NCAA Tournament since 2005. Just three seasons as the head coach, they nearly reached the peak of college basketball, making the national championship. Beard had everything rolling, ready to establish Texas Tech as a national power.
Two years later, Beard announced he would be heading to Austin to coach for the Longhorns. Shaka Smart had just agreed to part ways with the program and athletic director Chris Del Conte was looking to make a splashy hire.
Beard began his coaching career at Texas, serving as a graduate assistant on head coach Tommy Penders’ staff. He got his first head coaching opportunity with Fort Scott Community College and first Division I chance with Little Rock.
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The Trojans made the NCAA Tournament as a 12-seed during Beard’s one season in charge and upset Purdue in the first round. Beard took advantage by accepting the Texas Tech job after just one season.
Chris Beard has already gone through his up and downs during his first season with Texas. They are currently 5-3 in the Big 12 and are coming off a big win against Tennessee in the Big 12/SEC challenge.
As sweet as the revenge factor will be for the head coach, getting a win to keep pace with the top of the Big 12 is just as important. Tuesday will be a major test for the Longhorns.