Chris Beard introduced as Ole Miss men’s basketball coach

As most of the college basketball world prepares for March Madness, the Ole Miss men’s team is already dreaming about next year and what could be possible with a new head coach.

Yesterday, the Rebels introduced Chris Beard at SBJ Pavilion in Oxford, just one day after being named the successor to Kermit Davis.

Beard is taking over a program that went just 12-21 this season, but certainly has the pedigree to turn things around in a hurry, having lead Texas Tech to the 2019 national championship game en route to winning AP Coach of the Year and has taken three different programs to the NCAA Tournament since 2016, including his last stop at Texas before getting fired in January following domestic violence charges that were later dropped.

Beard didn’t have to wait long for his second chance and that’s something that’s not lost on the newest Rebel. “This next opportunity means everything to me, so I’m blessed to be here. When this job opened and I was asked about it, I mean this was the one. I love college towns. I love this state. I can’t wait to get to work, so I’m excited, excited to be here, and I’m glad that this is my next opportunity.”

Beard is set to make $13.6 million across his four-year contract, starting at $3.25 million and increasing by $100,000 each year after.