Texas Tech meets with UNLV's Chris Beard
Despite being the head coach at UNLV for less than three weeks, Chris Beard met with Texas Tech on Thursday night regarding the Red Raiders' vacancy.
Beard has known connections to Texas Tech, as the 43-year-old served as the team's associate head coach from 2001-11. Beard spent last season leading Little Rock, and parlayed an appearance in the NCAA tournament's Round of 32 into the head coaching gig at UNLV.
It remains to be seen if the Runnin' Rebels would let Beard out of his newly-minted contract without a monumental buyout.
After reports surfaced that Texas Tech was interested in Beard, UNLV athletic director Tina Kunzer-Murphy released a statement confirming the two sides were meeting, and that a decision would come Friday.
Late this afternoon, I was contacted by the athletics director at Texas Tech seeking permission to speak with Coach Beard about its men's basketball head coaching vacancy. This evening, Coach Beard met with officials from Texas Tech. We were made aware of the meeting before it took place. I have since met with Coach Beard and we have agreed to have this resolved by tomorrow.
Beard did note - now rather amusingly - during his introductory press conference in Las Vegas that he's not one to lock himself into long-term plans.
Chris Beard, from his introductory press conference, presented completely without context: pic.twitter.com/h3On1CWdTT
— Mike Grimala (@MikeGrimala) April 14, 2016
Earlier Thursday, Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt said he wasn't going to comment on candidates for his school's opening after Tubby Smith made his departure for Memphis official. He made the remark in response to a question about Beard.
Overall, Beard has compiled a 96-30 record as a head coach during stops at McMurry, Angelo State, and Little Rock.