Jim Boeheim retiring; Chris Beard to Ole Miss talk heating up

As it often does in March, the coaching carousel is heating up. Today gives us two big stories. Let’s start with the breaking news that Jim Boeheim is finally retiring. Syracuse announced today that Boeheim is stepping down at the end of this season, his 47th as the Orange’s head coach. Associate Head Coach Adrian Autry, one of Boeheim’s former players and longtime assistant, has been named his successor. The news comes following Syracuse’s loss to Wake Forest in the ACC Tournament earlier today.

“There is no doubt in my mind that without Jim Boeheim, Syracuse Basketball would not be the powerhouse program it is today,” Syracuse Chancellor Kent Syverud said in a press release. “Jim has invested and dedicated the majority of his life to building this program, cultivating generations of student-athletes and representing his alma mater with pride and distinction. I extend my deep appreciation and gratitude to an alumnus who epitomizes what it means to be ‘Forever Orange.'”

There will be plenty of columns discussing Boeheim’s legacy. I will simply share these videos of him picking his nose and eating the booger.

Did Jim Boeheim just eat a booger? 😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/iAVCtXAYqi

— 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙪𝙮𝙡𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙝𝙖𝙣 (@Callihan_) February 9, 2021

In response Jim Boeheim eats a booger. https://t.co/5FtiAp2vSo pic.twitter.com/XyNNBB91O6

— Nate Adrian's Hair (@hair_nate) March 10, 2022

Jim Boeheim and Boogers, a tale as old as time. Look at the nostril extension. He’s circling that thing like he’s cleaning the rim of a toilet bowl. pic.twitter.com/qfiyKv9BH0

— Tim Ryan🦤 (@TheSportsHernia) February 10, 2021

Chris Beard the top candidate for the Ole Miss job, per report

The other big coaching news of the day hits slightly closer to home. Multiple reports out today that Chris Beard could be the next head coach at Ole Miss. Pete Thamel says Beard, who was let go from Texas after a domestic violence charge that was later dropped, is the Rebels’ top candidate.

“Sources: Former Texas coach Chris Beard has emerged as the top candidate for the Ole Miss basketball job,” Thamel said. “The sides have spoken and Ole Miss (is) in the process of doing due diligence on Beard.”

Beard is 237-98 overall in his career, 10-4 in the NCAA Tournament. He took Texas Tech to the national championship game in 2019 and won AP Coach of the Year that season. Texas hired Beard in 2021 and over one and a half seasons, he had a 29-13 record. Ole Miss recently fired Kermit Davis after five seasons.

If you had told me Chris Beard would be in the mix for the Ole Miss coaching job back in October, I wouldn’t have believed you. What a wild turn of events.