Texas Tech Head Basketball Coach Visits San Angelo

SAN ANGELO, TX – This past Monday, members of the Texas Tech Alumni Association-Concho Valley hosted a very special guest during a luncheon at Zentner’s Daughter. Tech’s Men's Basketball Head Coach Chris Beard spoke about his team, his team's goals, and the vision he has for the Red Raiders in the upcoming season.

Coach Beard was introduced by Coach Boone, Angelo State University’s Men’s Head Basketball Coach. Boone and Beard know each other well.  They worked together  at ASU and McMurry University before Boone became head basketball coach at ASU and Beard at Texas Tech. For Boone Beard is not only a colleague, but also a close friend, one with whom he has shared many experiences. 

Commenting on Beard's first year at Texas Tech, Boone said, “he had a good year this first year. I think we all know big things are coming. He wins no matter where he goes, he’s a great person, and one of the fiercest competitors I have ever been around, but he does it the right way. He loves his players, takes good care of them and graduates them.”

During his speech Beard talked about his experience with the Red Raiders, detailing his future plans, but he also touched upon the importance of being humble. The opportunity to coach a team in the Big 12 is a tremendous one for any coach, but he recalled several instances that helped keep him humble. In particular, he remembered a conversation he had with one of his daughters after his Little Rock team had won against San Diego State, an undefeated team for many years. He remembered expecting her to congratulate him on the big win, but instead, he was presented with the news that the "new American Girl doll was offering free shipping." This was very exciting news for his daughter who was convinced that this was an opportunity her dad could not pass up. Beard went on to share other anecdotal stories that illustrated that for him it is important to keep his head grounded and to work hard every day to build a better team.

Coach Beard was a part of the Texas Tech family for ten years. From  2001-2011, he served under legendary coach Bob Knight both as assistant coach and assistant head coach. After ten years, he moved on to be the head coach for the South Carolina Warriors (ABA). A year later, he went to McMurray University to serve for a year as the head coach. Thereafter, he spent two years alongside Coach Boone as Angelo State University's Head Basketball Coach where he helped lead the Rams to a very successful season. The last stop before returning to the Red Raiders was a year as head coach at Little Rock University.

He is credited with turning around Little Rock’s basketball team during the 2015-2016 season, leading them through  30 victories, a season record. His record at Little Rock was 30-5; a vast improvement from the team’s previous stats.

He considers his time at ASU as one of his “most rewarding years of his career,” and his second favorite place to be at after Texas Tech. Beard mentioned that he became a little emotional after he walked through the Junell Center. Beard is proud of Coach Boone’s team and knows that they are "on to great things.”

“I believe he is going to win a national championship at Angelo State,” Beard said, “It’s really really good basketball here and 'Cinco' [Boone] does a great job with the program.”

During his speech Beard also talked about the new recruits who have signed on with the Red Raiders Men's Basketball team. For Beard, the incoming freshmen and the transfer students have very strong potential, and he believes they will be tremendous assets to the team. The incoming freshmen have, according to Beard, the potential of becoming “the best class Texas Tech has ever had.” Several of the new recruits had offers from prestigious universities,  and Beard feels very fortunate to have recruited them for Tech.

Coach Beard thanked everyone for attending the luncheon organized by Texas Tech Alumni Assocation-Concho Valley. The first game of the Red Raiders Men's Basketball Team will be on November 10, 2017.