5 years ago Texas Tech fans were patiently awaiting the start of the Billy Gillespie era. It ended up being a disaster that resulted in 3 different coaches and 4 straight losing seasons.
Tubby Smith ended all of that last year with a return to the NCAA tournament. He had started to build a foundation that the Tech fans could see grow under his watch. But he bailed for Memphis which I guess provides better resources and an easier conference for him to close out his career.
And now 5 plus years after being the Associate Head Coach for Pat Knight and an Assistant under Bob Knight we see the return of Chris Beard. His coaching arc has been a real journey over those last 5 seasons. Stops in the ABA, McMurry, Angelo State, UALR, and was heading to UNLV until Kirby Hocutt and company stepped in.
Just like when any coach takes over a program it's the typical coach speak. We have a great coaching staff. A good support system from the Chancellor, President, AD, etc. We are going to come together as a team, work on getting better, do the best we can. Try to build a program that the fans can support. I get it. We have all seen it over the last 5 seasons with Tech basketball.
Coach Beard has been a winner at every level. Junior College, NCCCA, Division II, Division I. He has shown he has the ability to create a winning attitude and execute. He has that credibility as a winner and the players and fan base are buying in. Meeting with the fans in DFW, calling the season ticket holders, working as hard as he can to make it his program.
He has built this current team in a way I thought was very unconventional. Graduate transfers, Junior college players, a high school project. Let several young players exit. It felt like he was mortgaging the future for immediate success. But he has created a roster with the most upperclassmen in the NCAA. And from first hand accounts a very competitive team. And his recruiting for 2017 is already very promising. So not only does the team this year look to be better than last the future is starting to look bright as well.
What does it all mean? 5 years ago Chris Beard was looking for a job not even remotely close to what he just left in Lubbock, TX. And somehow he found his way back. To me it's incredible.
Guns Up Coach Beard. And kick some ass!
Tubby Smith ended all of that last year with a return to the NCAA tournament. He had started to build a foundation that the Tech fans could see grow under his watch. But he bailed for Memphis which I guess provides better resources and an easier conference for him to close out his career.
And now 5 plus years after being the Associate Head Coach for Pat Knight and an Assistant under Bob Knight we see the return of Chris Beard. His coaching arc has been a real journey over those last 5 seasons. Stops in the ABA, McMurry, Angelo State, UALR, and was heading to UNLV until Kirby Hocutt and company stepped in.
Just like when any coach takes over a program it's the typical coach speak. We have a great coaching staff. A good support system from the Chancellor, President, AD, etc. We are going to come together as a team, work on getting better, do the best we can. Try to build a program that the fans can support. I get it. We have all seen it over the last 5 seasons with Tech basketball.
Coach Beard has been a winner at every level. Junior College, NCCCA, Division II, Division I. He has shown he has the ability to create a winning attitude and execute. He has that credibility as a winner and the players and fan base are buying in. Meeting with the fans in DFW, calling the season ticket holders, working as hard as he can to make it his program.
He has built this current team in a way I thought was very unconventional. Graduate transfers, Junior college players, a high school project. Let several young players exit. It felt like he was mortgaging the future for immediate success. But he has created a roster with the most upperclassmen in the NCAA. And from first hand accounts a very competitive team. And his recruiting for 2017 is already very promising. So not only does the team this year look to be better than last the future is starting to look bright as well.
What does it all mean? 5 years ago Chris Beard was looking for a job not even remotely close to what he just left in Lubbock, TX. And somehow he found his way back. To me it's incredible.
Guns Up Coach Beard. And kick some ass!
