March Madness has a whole new meaning this week.
While the 2021 NCAA Tournament is preparing for the Final Four, head coaching searches are well underway across the college basketball landscape.
Former Texas men’s basketball head coach Shaka Smart chose to leave for Marquette on March 26. It was an amicable split for both sides, but it left the Longhorns with a major vacancy to fill. However, Texas isn’t the only program with a void to fill.
On Thursday, North Carolina head coach Roy Williams announced his retirement. If the Tar Heels don’t promote from within their program, it could have a heavy impact on Texas’ coaching search. Oklahoma, the Longhorns Big 12 rival, is also actively searching for a successor to Lon Kruger.
Could Beard be a realistic option for Texas?
Many seem to think Beard is content in Lubbock, but according to Chip Brown of Horns247, Texas is expected to speak with Beard on April 1. There appears to be mutual interest here.
The Insider: #Texas expected to talk with #TexasTexh coach Chris Beard Thursday. https://t.co/ELC1v37k5N pic.twitter.com/D63lEXIQHZ
— Horns247 (@Horns247) April 1, 2021
Beard would be the best hire for Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte to turn around the basketball program in Austin. He’s a University of Texas alumnus and former graduate assistant, not to mention he’s led the Red Raiders to the Elite Eight and the national championship.
It’s been eerily quiet from both sides as rumors grow louder. Why hasn’t Texas Tech announced that Beard is staying in Lubbock? Why hasn’t Beard denied interest in the Texas job?
Perhaps we could hear some movement on April 1, when Beard’s buyout for moving to another Big 12 program drops from $5 million to $4 million. Coincidence or not, this is certainly something worth monitoring over the coming days.