Ole Miss fans, college basketball community weigh in on Chris Beard coaching hire
Ole Miss basketball made the hire of Chris Beard as its new head coach official on Monday, leading many to take to social media to voice their opinions on the hire.
Beard replaces Kermit Davis, who was fired Feb. 24 as the Rebels were on their way to a fourth straight missed NCAA Tournament. Davis went 74-79 in five seasons, making the NCAA Tournament in his first season.
Beard was fired by Texas on Jan. 5 after he was arrested and charged with third-degree domestic violence on Dec. 12, 2022. According to the affidavit, Beard's fiancee, Randi Trew, told police officers in Austin that Beard choked her following a disagreement at their home. Trew later said that she did not believe Beard was trying to hurt her and that he was acting in self-defense. The charges were dropped on Feb. 15.
Beard went 29-13 at Texas early in his second season, after leading them to the Round of 32 in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Before his time in Austin, he was the coach at Texas Tech, where he went 112-55 with three NCAA Tournament appearances including a national runner-up finish in 2019.
Here's how Ole Miss fans and others in the college basketball community reacted:
CHRIS BEARD:Ole Miss basketball hires Chris Beard as next coach, introduction set for Tuesday
WHAT WE KNOW:What to know about dropped domestic violence charges that led to Chris Beard's Texas firing
Can’t be surprised by these hires anymore. Didn’t even have to wait a year for some school to claim they’ve done their due diligence and hire him. https://t.co/BB9DzCClzw
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) March 13, 2023
In the last few months the SEC has welcomed Hugh Freeze, Bobby Petrino and Chris Beard. https://t.co/Y7bVlryVcd
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) March 13, 2023
Ole Miss Football : Lane Kiffin
Ole Miss Baseball : National Champion, Mike Bianco
Ole Miss Basketball : Chris Beard
The future of Ole Miss Men’s Athletics could not be better— Everything Ole Miss (@EverythingRebs) March 13, 2023
So let’s get this straight.
Ole Miss previously hired DJ Durkin, who was fired as HC of Maryland football following the death of Jordan McNair, as co-defensive coordinator in 2020.
And now Chris Beard, who was arrested for domestic violence.
Says a lot. Pretty disgusting.— Lila Bromberg (@lilabbromberg) March 13, 2023
If Ole Miss can retain some of its players from last year, I think Chris Beard could have a legitimate shot at making the tournament in his first season, last years Ole Miss team had some talent
— Dustin Bleiweis (@Dueycbb) March 13, 2023
How does Chris Beard immediately get a Power-5 job after his situation????
— 🤟🏾 (@RyWeeeeezy) March 13, 2023
Chris Beard is gonna win games at Ole Miss and the SEC is even tougher. https://t.co/ug0cCly2zb
— T.J. Walker (@TJWalkerRadio) March 13, 2023
Chris Beard is proof that if you win a ton of basketball games, nobody cares about anything bad you may do
— Chairman of the Boards (@uconnchairman) March 13, 2023
In the last decade or so in basketball and football, Ole Miss has hired these coaches:
-Hugh Freeze
-DJ Durkin
-Chris Beard
-Jeff Lebby
No further comment.— Forrest Hughes (@ForrestHughes7) March 13, 2023
#OleMiss hires one of the top five college coaches in hoops. Can anyone match the Big 3 head coaches as #HottyToddy?
— Yancy Porter (@YancyPorter) March 13, 2023
Why. Just why. https://t.co/WQrehAGlAY
— DFWStormChasers (@DFWStormChasing) March 13, 2023
Not excited about it one bit https://t.co/nZ6h8PKDRi
— Justin A Ewing (@Jus10Ewing) March 13, 2023
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Reaction: Ole Miss basketball hires Chris Beard as next coach
