Will Ole Miss basketball head coach Chris Beard head back to Texas?

Ole Miss basketball is coming off one of their best seasons in a very long time. It was the Rebels' first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019 and the first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 2001. It was almighty close to being a first-ever Elite Eight spot.

It's not bad for a supposed "nonbasketball school." Due to that, it is no surprise to see head coach Chris Beard touted for other top jobs around the country. The latest was the vacant Texas A&M job, which opened up after Buzz Williams left to take the Maryland job.

Beard has previously been in Texas, coaching Texas Tech and Texas, and was also an assistant at North Texas. After being dismissed by the Longhorns, Beard was appointed the Ole Miss head coach in 2023, a second chance.

You never fully know what somebody is thinking when an opportunity presents itself. However, going on what Ole Miss fans have learned, it would be surprising to see him take the job. On3's Pete Nakos has him at the top of his hot board, but we know the media are often wrong.

The achievements in the 2024-25 season were all in Beard's second season with the team. he has changed the narrative in Oxford with his culture and being allowed to put his stamp on things. The basketball team was failing, and he picked them up off the canvas.

There is not a lot of loyalty left in sports, but the gut feeling is Chris Beard still has it. I don't know this; I just have a feeling. Ole Miss offered him a chance when not many others would. He also looks happy at the Rebels. It must be good for the positivity to see his role in selling out home games at the Pavilion.

One final thought on why he could stay at Ole Miss is that a move to Texas A&M is not drastically better. Sure, they have a bigger history, but there is not a huge difference in class right now. Beard is also getting the backing for the Rebels AD with NIL money.

Everything points to Chris Beard staying in Oxford, but I've been wrong before.