Texas Tech Basketball: Key offseason storylines heading into 2019-20
3. Keeping Coach Beard for the long haul
Not only was Texas Tech making it to the national championship such a big victory for the supporters of the program, but it also served as a way to block potential other schools from trying to go after Coach Beard in the coaching carousel. Teams such as UCLA, Alabama, Arkansas, Virginia Tech, Texas A&M were all open, with Beard’s name being connected in at least a “should try” context.
In just four years, Coach Beard has amassed 106 total wins (30 at Little Rock) with a .746 winning percentage. His defensive reputation is second only to national champion Tony Bennett and in a short time he’s already brought in the kind of recruits the program never could.
Beard signed a six-year extension after last season worth over $3 million a season, including performance-based bonuses. There’s also a $6 million buyout clause for other schools to deal with if they approach him but it’s clear that he’s worth it.
Texas Tech survived this offseason but there’s also next year. You never know which powerhouse programs are available for the taking and Beard’s name will be the first mentioned, due to him being at a program not viewed as a consistent national contender yet.
But the administration is making efforts to bolster their program, including a new $30 million practice facility being built. And if another run is in the cards, look for the Red Raiders to provide another bump in their coach’s pay.
Surprises/disappointments from each league in 2018-19. dark. Next
As long as the program continues making strides to show how serious they are taking the basketball side of things, Beard could be staying around for a while. But it’ll be hard to go through the annual basis of “will Beard take (insert school head coaching job)?”. Work will be going on both on the court and behind the scenes to keep Texas Tech Basketball at the upper echelon of college hoops.