In the offseason, colleges looking for a coach are probably going to seek Chris Beard, the basketball coach at Ole Miss. Coach Rick Pitino of St. John’s is already arguing for Beard to be hired by one school.
Pitino spoke with the Pardon My Take podcast on Friday. Pitino’s St. John’s squad is 23-4 (14-2 Big East) and ranked ninth in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. Pitino was questioned regarding the coaching vacancy at Indiana. Earlier this month, Mike Woodson left the Hoosiers.
Pitino stated, “If I were the AD at Indiana, I would hire Chris Beard from Ole Miss, one of the best coaches in college basketball, right away, without even interviewing anyone else.” “I wouldn’t even consider someone else. He’s ideal for that position. He is hard-nosed and tough.
Beard has been coaching the Rebels for two years. With a record of 19-7 (8-5 SEC), Ole Miss is in a position to qualify for the NCAA tournament. The Rebels would be participating in March Madness for the first time since 2019.
Beard invited Pitino to address one of his Texas Tech teams a couple years back. The event resulted in the two coaches becoming friends.
Why Chris Beard sent the Ole Miss basketball starting lineup to explain the team’s loss to Mississippi State “I am a huge fan of Chris Beard and I think he would kill it in Indiana,” Pitino said. “I always judge a coach by his practices. I have to tell you, those were some of the best practices and meetings with his teams that I’ve ever witnessed.” Beard was referred to as a superstar by Pitino, who also said that he coached under the legendary IU coach Bobby Knight and Knight’s son Pat at Texas Tech.
