University Of Texas Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Beard
The University of Texas has a new head men's basketball coach and his name is Chris Beard. Beard was officially introduced on April 1, 2021, taking over the reins from Shaka Smart who left to coach at Marquette University. Beard is no stranger to the Lone Star State, having coached at Texas Tech University for five years before moving to the University of Texas. In this article, we will get to know the man behind the coach, Chris Beard.
The Early Years
Chris Beard was born on October 18, 1972, in Marietta, Georgia. He grew up in Texas, attending McCullough High School in The Woodlands, graduating in 1991. After high school, Beard went on to study at the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in kinesiology. During his time at UT, he was a student manager for the men's basketball team. This experience was instrumental in shaping his future career as a coach.
The Coaching Career
Chris Beard's coaching career began in 1995, as a graduate assistant at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. He then had various coaching stints at different universities such as Abilene Christian University, North Texas, and Texas Tech. It was at Texas Tech where he had his breakthrough season in 2018, leading the Red Raiders to the NCAA Championship game, eventually losing to the Villanova Wildcats. This was the best season in the history of Texas Tech men's basketball, and Beard was named the Associated Press National Coach of the Year.
Beard has a unique coaching style that is both intense and passionate. He expects his players to give their best effort every time they step onto the court. He also has a reputation for being a great tactician, always finding ways to put his players in the position to succeed.
The Move to the University of Texas
After five years at Texas Tech, Beard made the move to the University of Texas in April 2021. He had previously been an assistant coach for the Longhorns during the 2016-2017 season. Beard's arrival has generated excitement among the Longhorn fan base, with many hoping he can take the program to the next level.
Beard inherits a team that has a lot of talent but hasn't realized its potential. The Longhorns haven't made it past the first round of the NCAA tournament since 2018. With Beard at the helm, there is hope that the Longhorns can become a perennial contender in college basketball.
Career Highlights
Chris Beard has had a successful coaching career, and here are some of his career highlights:
- 2018 Associated Press National Coach of the Year
- 2021 Big 12 Coach of the Year
- 2018 NCAA Championship game appearance
- 2021 NCAA tournament appearance with Texas
Beard's track record of success as a coach makes him one of the most sought-after coaches in college basketball. He has shown that he can turn a program around quickly and create a winning culture. If he can replicate his success at Texas Tech with the Longhorns, there is no telling how far he can take them.
Conclusion
Chris Beard is a coach who brings passion, intensity, and a winning mentality to everything he does. He has had great success as a coach and is poised to take the University of Texas men's basketball program to the next level. His unique coaching style and ability to find ways to win make him a coach to watch in the coming years.