Texas Tech Basketball: Head coach Chris Beard's fast track to stardom

Texas Tech Basketball: Head coach Chris Beard’s fast track to stardom

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders cuts the net after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional at Honda Center on March 30, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 30: Head coach Chris Beard of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament West Regional at Honda Center on March 30, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Beard’s next stop was at Angelo State

Beard would spend the next to seasons at Angelo State where he continued his success. In his first season in charge of the Rams in 2013-14, he again won 19 games, going 19-9 and finishing third in the Lone Star Conference with an 8-6 record. The Rams’ defense wasn’t quite at the level that Beard had at McMurry, his team surrendered over 70 points in half their games and allowed over 69 per game while scoring just over 72. The defense wasn’t the main problem for Beard at Angelo State, turnovers were also a big issue. The Rams committed 15 per game and finished with a negative turnover margin and opponents scored over 14 points per game off of Rams’ giveaways.

His second season saw quite a turnaround, the Rams finished 28-6, finished 2nd in the conference at 11-3, undefeated at home with a 17-0 record and made the 3rd round of the Division II NCAA Tournament. They began the season 21-1 with their lone loss being by three points and allowed more than 70 points in just five of those contests. After a win on Feb. 7, they would finish the season just 7-5, which was a little disappointing for the Rams given how the season started.

The six losses in Beard’s final season at Angelo State were by a total of 22 points, with seven points being the biggest loss they suffered all year. After a two-year run that saw him go 47-15, Division I would come calling the next season, as Little Rock would tab him as their new head coach.

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