Ole Miss Basketball Coach Chris Beard Agrees To A New Contract
Chris Beard, Ole Miss Basketball Coach, Signs New Contract
January 4, 2023, Oxford, Miss. - Ole Miss Athletics Director Keith Carter announced today that Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Beard has agreed to a new contract that will keep him with the Rebels through the 2029-30 season.
Details of the New Contract
The new contract is a six-year extension of Beard's previous deal, which was set to expire at the end of the 2023-24 season. The terms of the new contract were not disclosed, but Carter said that it is "competitive with the highest-paid coaches in the SEC".
Beard's Success at Ole Miss
Beard has been the head coach at Ole Miss since the 2018-19 season. In his four seasons at the helm, he has led the Rebels to a 79-42 overall record, including a 39-23 mark in SEC play. Beard has also led Ole Miss to two NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2019.
Carter's Statement
In a statement, Carter praised Beard for his success on and off the court.
"Chris has done an outstanding job of building our men's basketball program into a contender in the SEC and nationally," Carter said. "He is a proven winner who has developed our players on and off the court. We are excited to have him lead our program for many years to come."
Beard's Statement
Beard also expressed his excitement about signing a new contract with Ole Miss.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to lead this program," Beard said. "I believe in our players, our staff, and our university. We have a lot of work to do, but I am confident that we can continue to build on our success and make Ole Miss a perennial contender."
Outlook for the Future
With Beard signed to a new long-term contract, the future looks bright for Ole Miss basketball. The Rebels are coming off a 2022-23 season in which they finished 20-12 overall and 10-8 in SEC play. They return several key players from that team, including leading scorer Matthew Murrell, and are poised to make another run at the NCAA Tournament in 2023-24.