The Ole Miss Rebels made a surprise splash on Wednesday when they signed men's basketball coach Chris Beard to a long-term extension just a day before the start of the 2024 Southeastern Conference Tournament. Beard previously signed a four-year contract worth $3.25 million in base pay in March of 2023, and now a year later, he has seemingly committed to Ole Miss for the long-term.
In Beard's first year at the helm, the Rebels finished with a 20-11 overall record after going 13-0 in non-conference games, earning a spot in the AP Poll for the first time in five seasons. It does not sound like much, but that is a lot of success for a team that finished 4-14 in the SEC the last two years under Kermit Davis.
The extension may come as a surprise to some, due mainly to the fact that Beard has barely been a Rebel for a year - but this is was a strategic move by Ole Miss Athletic Director Keith Carter. There is no denying Beard's ability, and with powerhouse basketball programs such as the Louisville Cardinals looking for a new coach, an extension acts as the ultimate deterrent.
Now that he is officially locked in at Ole Miss, Beard has ample time to build his culture and craft a roster worthy of a run in the NCAA Tournament. If Beard and the Rebels continue to trend in the upward direction going forward, this could go down as another home run deal for Carter and the Rebels.
Beard made this statement following the news of his new contract, promising that more success is on the way for Ole Miss hoops.
"I appreciate Chancellor Boyce, Keith [Carter] and the Ole Miss administration for their belief and support as we continue on our path of building a championship program in Oxford," Beard said following his extension. "I also want to express my gratitude to the Ole Miss fan base, supporters, alumni and our students for their dedication to our players and program. We are just getting started. Great times ahead in the SJB Pavillion and Oxford."
Beard and the Rebels started and finished their trip to the SEC Tournament on Thursday night, losing to the Texas A&M Aggies in the second round of the competition. With postseason hopes likely dashed, it is now time for Ole Miss to plunge headfirst into the offseason.
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