Chris Beard

Chris Beard is a highly successful men’s college basketball coach, known for transforming programs and achieving significant results in the NCAA. After leading the Little Rock Trojans to a remarkable 30-5 record in 2015-16, Chris Beard went on to establish himself as one of college basketball’s most transformative coaches. Prior to this breakthrough, Beard steadily built his coaching foundation, earning a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology from the University of Texas in 1995 and a Master’s in education from Abilene Christian University in 1998, where he also served as a graduate assistant. Beard’s early head coaching stints included Fort Scott Community College (1999–2000), where he achieved a 19–12 record, and Seminole State College (2000–01), guiding them to a 25–6 record and a No. 14 national ranking. Building on his proven track record, Beard returned to Texas Tech in 2016 as head coach, where he swiftly elevated the program to national prominence. His exceptional guidance earned him the prestigious 2019 AP National Coach of the Year award. For his outstanding leadership and the team’s significant achievements, he was honored with the Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year award in 2025, underscoring his consistent ability to drive programs to peak performance at the highest levels of collegiate basketball.