After dealing with controversy, Chris Beard has managed to come back to coaching in college, thanks to the Ole Miss Rebels giving him a chance to run the school’s men’s basketball program.
Ole Miss hired Beard as head coach in March of 2023 after he got cleared of any legal troubles stemming from an alleged act of domestic violence in December 2022, when he was still with the Texas Longhorns.
Chris Beard Lands New Contract With Ole Miss Rebels
Now, Beard is expected to coach the Ole Miss Rebels for years to come after agreeing to a new contract with the program (h/t ESPN).
“We are just getting started,” Beard said via a statement.
It’s a strong message from Beard, who still has a chance to steer the Ole Miss Rebels to the 2024 edition of the Big Dance. The Rebels are unlikely to secure an at-large berth on Selection Sunday, but they still get there by winning the 2024 SEC Tournament.
Ole Miss is scheduled to play the Texas A&M Aggies in the second round of the tournament this Thursday. A win against the Aggies would set them up for a date in the quarterfinals versus the second-seeded Kentucky Wildcats on Friday.
“The future of Ole Miss Basketball could not be brighter under coach Beard’s leadership,” athletic director Keith Carter said in a statement. “His impact on every facet of our program was immediately apparent, and it has translated to a new standard of success and a culture that is building every day. He has galvanized Rebel Nation, and particularly our student body, and created a newfound passion for men’s basketball that is felt throughout the entire Ole Miss community. We could not be more excited to strengthen our investment in the program and can’t wait to see what the many years ahead hold with coach Beard leading our team.”
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