What is the Recipe?

The termination of Chris Beard and Texas’ attempt at building a culture in college basketball.

The University of Texas hired Chris Beard to rebuild the culture of UT Basketball that has been severely lacking since Rick Barnes was the head coach. Beard was a UT Basketball manager under coach Tom Penders and later a graduate assistant at UT. Texas brought back one of its own and at the time one of the hottest coaches in the country. UT built a new basketball arena to showcase the program Chris Beard was to mold: the $375 million Moody Center. Except, Beard would coach less than 10 games in the arena.

On December 12, 2022 Chris Beard was arrested on a third-degree felony charge of assault against a family member for strangulation. Beard never claimed innocence, only that he was not the aggressor. Charges were later dropped by Beard’s fiancé. Thursday afternoon 1/5/23 the University of Texas terminated Chris Beard’s contract based on cause. We are not a judge nor jury so let’s fast forward.

UT now has to start over in its quest to find someone to rebuild its culture. Who will that be? Will they want interim head coach Rodney Terry to continue as the man in charge? He is currently 5-1 and Big 12 competition - the best in the country, has just begun. TJ Ford? Royal Ivey? Texas can open the pocket book for anyone but who will accept? It hasn’t been that easy in the past. There is no telling how the coaching landscape will look like this offseason. Texas is a top 24 team in the country and if Coach Rodney Terry can put together a great season and postseason run I don’t see why they wouldn’t keep him. Recruiting may take a hit but we don’t know that for certain.

The University of Texas’ quest to find a head basketball coach to build a culture, fill up the Moody Center and win feels like it is a never ending one. Only time will tell. Good luck to Coach Rodney Terry the rest of the season.