Ole Miss announces contract extension for Chris Beard
Chris Beard’s first season as head coach of the Ole Miss men’s basketball team is still underway but plans for his second season and beyond are already underway.
Including Wednesday’s announcement of a new contract extension for Beard. Ole Miss athletics director Keith Carter made the announcement of rolling Beard’s contract back over to the allowable four-year maximum under Mississippi state laws.
A year ago to the day Beard was hired as the Rebels next head coach, replacing Kermit Davis after a near five-season tenure.
“I appreciate Chancellor Boyce, Keith and the Ole Miss administration for their belief and support as we continue on our path of building a championship in Oxford,” Beard said in a statement. “I also want to express my gratitude to the Ole Miss fan base, supporters, alumni and our students for their dedication to our players and program. We are just getting started. Great times ahead in the SJB Pavilion in Oxford”
The season started strong for Ole Miss, going 13-0 in conference play and looking like a program that turned the corner ahead of anyone’s schedule. But then a 7-11 run through Southeastern Conference play put a damper on Beard’s first year and killing any realistic chance of ending the five-year NCAA Tournament drought.
No new terms were included in the announcement but Beard’s initial deal paid him $3.25 million and yearly increases of $100,000 the following three seasons.
“The future of Ole Miss Basketball could not be brighter under coach Beard’s leadership,” Carter said in a statement. “His impact on every facet of our program was immediately apparent, and it has translated to a new standard of success and a culture that is building every day. He has galvanized Rebel Nation, and particularly our student body, and created a newfound passion for men’s basketball that is felt throughout the entire Ole Miss community. We could not be more excited to strengthen our investment in the program and can’t wait to see what the many years ahead hold with Coach Beard leading our team.”
Ole Miss starts its SEC Tournament run in Nashville against Texas A&M on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network
