Chris Beard Signs Extension with Ole Miss, Turns Down Texas A&M Interest

The fanbase in Oxford can breathe a sign of relief.

Head coach Chris Beard reportedly was in talks to potentially take over the Texas A&M job. Call it sincere interest or perhaps gamesmanship from Beard, but Ole Miss stepped up in a real way to solidify its emerging basketball program.

Reports indicate that Ole Miss has not only given Beard a contract extension, but also a heavy bump in annual pay and NIL funding.

In other words, Beard isn’t going anywhere.

Ole Miss was one of the surprises within the SEC this year. The Rebels went 24-12 this past year — ultimately making it to the Sweet 16 before being clipped by Michigan State. Wins over North Carolina and Iowa State in the tournament legitimized the job Beard is doing for what many consider to be a football school. The three-point loss to MSU was heartbreaking, though the momentum this program now has can further be capitalized on now that Beard is locked in for the foreseeable future.

Beard is undoubtedly one of the best coaches in the country. His ability to mesh together a player-friendly style while also holding those players accountable has made him a special teacher of the game. Throw in his acumen as a tactician, and there’s a reason Texas A&M made a massive play to try and lure him back to his native Texas.

It will be interesting to see how Ole Miss approaches the portal period in the upcoming weeks. Freshman big man John Bol and wing TJ Caldwell have left the team in search of new opportunities. LSU transfer Corey Chest has reportedly been in Oxford for a visit. There are also rumors that the Rebels could be in a good spot to land former Creighton guard Pop Isaacs.