Career Timeline of Chris Beard: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Chris Beard made an impact.
Chris Beard is an American basketball coach currently serving as the head men's coach at the University of Mississippi. His extensive coaching career includes head coaching positions at Texas, Texas Tech, Little Rock, Angelo State, and McMurry. Beard's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas, where he was a student manager, and a Masters of Education from Abilene Christian University.
2000: Hired as Head Coach at Seminole State College
In 2000, Chris Beard was hired as the head coach at Seminole State College.
March 8, 2012: Hired as Head Coach at Lamar State College
On March 8, 2012, Chris Beard was hired as head coach at Lamar State College–Port Arthur.
March 2013: Hired as Head Coach at Angelo State
In March 2013, Chris Beard was hired as the sixth head coach at Angelo State.
April 8, 2015: Named Head Coach of Arkansas–Little Rock
On April 8, 2015, Chris Beard was named the head coach of Arkansas–Little Rock.
March 27, 2016: Accepts Head Coaching Job at UNLV
On March 27, 2016, Chris Beard accepted the head coaching job at UNLV.
April 15, 2016: Takes Texas Tech Job
On April 15, 2016, Chris Beard took the Texas Tech head coaching job after Tubby Smith's departure.
March 23, 2018: Elite Eight Berth
On March 23, 2018, Chris Beard coached Texas Tech to its first-ever Elite Eight berth in program history.
March 9, 2019: Big 12 Regular Season Title
On March 9, 2019, Chris Beard's Texas Tech team won a share of the Big 12 regular season title, their first title in the conference.
March 30, 2019: First Final Four Appearance
On March 30, 2019, Chris Beard led Texas Tech to their first Final Four appearance in school history with a victory over Gonzaga.
April 6, 2019: National Championship Berth
On April 6, 2019, Chris Beard led the Red Raiders to a victory over Michigan State, earning the school's first National Championship berth.
April 29, 2019: Signs Extension
On April 29, 2019, Chris Beard signed a six-year extension, becoming the third-highest-paid college basketball coach in the country.
2019: AP National Coach of the Year Award
In 2019, Chris Beard won a school-record 31 games, leading the Texas Tech Red Raiders to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship Game, and was named the 2019 AP National Coach of the Year.
April 1, 2021: Hired as Head Coach at University of Texas
On April 1, 2021, Chris Beard was hired as the 25th head coach at the University of Texas.
January 5, 2023: Fired by Texas
On January 5, 2023, the University of Texas fired Chris Beard, concluding his tenure with a 29-13 record.
March 13, 2023: Hired as Ole Miss Head Coach
On March 13, 2023, Chris Beard was named the new men's basketball coach at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss).
