LOOK: Life-sized Chris Beard Texas Tech bobblehead arrives in Lubbock

Former Texas Tech head coach Chris Beard left Lubbock in favor of Austin this offseason, instead opting to accept the head coaching role with the Texas Longhorns, a Red Raiders rival, and he left behind quite a bit in the move: a highly-successful, AP Top 25 program, a rabid fanbase and — unexpectedly — a life-sized bobblehead.

Shortly before 9:00 p.m. tip-off between the No. 23 Texas Longhorns and No. 14 Texas Tech Raiders, a photo surfaced on Twitter of a life-sized Chris Beard bobblehead. It’s unclear exactly when the photo was taken, but users on Twitter have suggested that Beard requested a life-sized bobblehead while at Texas Tech; the university complied, and according to their recollection of events, it arrived at Texas Tech after he had already taken the Texas job.

Now, they’re stuck with the bobblehead — and a petty photo that shows Dustin and Leisha Womble, two of the university’s largest donors, gesturing the “Guns Up” hand symbol next to the bobblehead.

Chris Beard specifically requested a life size bobble head be built for him & paid for by TTU in spring of 2021. He left for UT before it ever arrived.

I never thought this would see the light of day. It is beautiful.#WreckEm https://t.co/IApNTV5XTm

— Taylor Stockton (@tStocktonTTU) February 1, 2022

Texas Tech guard talks return of Chris Beard to Lubbock

On Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. ET, Chris Beard will make his long-awaited return to Lubbock, where the No. 14 Texas Tech Red Raiders (16-5, 5-3) will play host to the visiting No. 23 Texas Longhorns (16-5, 5-3). And needless to say, it’ll be quite a hostile environment in United Supermarkets Arena.

Beard, an alumnus of Texas, now coaches his alma mater, a job he accepted just this year. But of course, Beard would never have gotten the opportunity to succeed Shaka Smart at Texas, if not for his time with Texas Tech: he last coached with Texas Tech for five seasons, amassing a 112-55 overall record at the helm, all while leading the Red Raiders to new heights. In fact, during the 2018-19 season, he managed to lead the Red Raiders to the NCAA Tournament finals, where they eventually lost to Virginia in overtime.

But when he left Lubbock in favor of Austin, Texas Tech fans were not happy to hear their coach of five seasons had left for a conference rival. As such, Texas Tech guard Terrence Shannon expects his home team to have quite the advantage as Beard returns to town.

“I’m not scared for him. He’s a tough guy. I hope they behave. Just don’t do anything to get us a technical foul,” Shannon said, when asked of Beard’s return to Texas Tech. “They don’t like him. They might throw stuff at him. Hopefully they don’t. Just chant stuff.”

Suffice to say, things could get chippy between Texas and Texas Tech tonight, two teams with identical records hoping to differentiate themselves from the pack of the Big 12.

Tip off between Texas and Texas Tech is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET.