Report: Chris Beard expected to stay at Ole Miss despite heavy Arkansas interest
Chris Beard, reportedly one of the top candidates — if not the main choice — for the men’s basketball head coach opening at Arkansas, is reportedly out of the mix. Beard is opting to stay at Ole Miss, according to Jeff Goodman.
Beard came to Ole Miss ahead of the 2023-24 season after he was fired at Texas for allegedly choking his fiancee. He led the Rebels to a 20-12 mark in his first season.
Beard seemed to signal his excitement to stay at Ole Miss in a social media post shortly after the news broke.
“HOTTY TODDY Great times ahead in Oxford. We are just getting started,” Beard said.
With Beard off the board to fill the vacancy at Arkansas, Jon Rothstein reported that Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang has been zeroed in on as the new top candidate.
Tang had spent 19 seasons as an assistant coach and associate head coach at Baylor before taking the job at Kansas State in 2022. In his pair of seasons leading the Wildcats, they have gone 45-25 (.643). They missed the NCAA Tournament this season but made the Elite Eight a season ago in his first year behind Markquis Nowell and Keyontae Johnson.
Arkansas is seeking to replace Eric Musselman
After five seasons, Eric Musselman is leaving Arkansas to become the next head coach at USC. He will be replacing Andy Enfield, who also left in favor of the SMU Mustangs. A great pickup for the Trojans entering their inaugural season in the Big Ten.
Musselman penned a heartfelt goodbye to Arkansas shortly after his hire was made official by USC. Thanking everyone involved with the program, Musselman spoke on behalf of his family. A lot of “special moments” occurred while in Fayetteville and it’s something Musselman will never forget.
“From the moment my family and I stepped into this state and onto this beautiful campus, you have welcomed us and made us feel at home,” Musselman said.
“The last five years have been so special for my family and I. They have been filled with so many moments that I will remember for the rest of my life. I hope this time gave you some special moments, too.
“Thank you, Razorback fans. You are among the most passionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated in the country.
“We would like to thank Hunter Yurachek, the entire athletic department, the student-athletes, student body, and alumni for their unwavering support and energy.”
While the 2023-2024 season did not go how Musselman planned, he still had an immense amount of success at Arkansas. In three NCAA Tournament appearances, all of them went into the second weekend. Two Elite Eights and a Sweet Sixteen are on the resume.
Musselman’s regular season record was quite good as well. He finished 111-59 while at Arkansas and 47-42 against SEC foes. No conference championships came back home but that’s an easy tradeoff for NCAA Tournament success.