Report: Chris Beard emerges as the top candidate for open Ole Miss basketball job

Both Chris Beard and Ole Miss went through mid-season coaching changes for different reasons. Beard was let go from Texas after a domestic violence charge that was later dropped, while the Rebels let go of Kermit Davis after five seasons. Now, the two could be coming together to begin a new era for the program.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Beard has emerged as “the top candidate” for Ole Miss. Nothing has been made official but as for now, things are trending for Beard to take over in Oxford.

“Sources: Former Texas coach Chris Beard has emerged as the top candidate for the Ole Miss basketball job,” Thamel said. “The sides have spoken and Ole Miss (is) in the process of doing due diligence on Beard.”

Beard, who is viewed one of the top coaches in college basketball, would be considered a tremendous hire for Ole Miss. He has experience winning in the NCAA Tournament, dating back to his days at Texas Tech. A Final Four and national championship appearance is on the resume — something the Rebels have never accomplished.

In fact, only nine appearances have occurred in program history. A 2001 Sweet Sixteen is the furthest Ole Miss has ever gone, coming under Rod Barnes as a three-seed.

Beard has won over 70% of his games coached, both overall (237-98) and in the NCAA Tournament. He is 10-4 in the big dance and quite possibly could have added multiple wins this year with Texas.

Chris Beard would add to the elite SEC coaching ranks

Even if Texas had retained Beard, he would have made his way to the SEC. Having an Ole Miss logo on his shirt will be different though, coaching a basketball program without a ton of winning history. If Beard can find a way to win with the Rebels, the conference schedule is going to be a battle every night.

Kentucky will continue to be Kentucky with Jon Calipari while some new blood has risen to the top as well. Alabama has two outright regular season titles under Nate Oats. Auburn has been to a Final Four under Bruce Pearl and Tennessee has become a consistent winner under Rick Barnes. Arkansas has two Elite Eights under Eric Musselman.

You can continue to go down the list, with Buzz Williams at Texas A&M and Missouri‘s Dennis Gates.

No matter how you look at it, there will be no off nights in SEC basketball, at least from a coaching experience. Beard and Ole Miss have not made things official but if they do, it’s a statement hire from athletic director Keith Carter.