Texas Basketball: What is the future of the program after Chris Beard?
In the midst of an unexpected and controversial situation involving felony assault charges the University of Austin is parting ways with Texas basketball head coach Chris Beard.
Interim head coach Rodney Terry has done an impressive job of holding the glue together for the promising program with only one loss since taking over on Dec. 12; the day Beard was arrested. The only problem is the one loss was a historic one. Texas gave up 116 points to an unranked Kansas State squad, the worst defensive outing for the program in over 30 years.
Texas has established a highly touted defensive identity over the last season so a loss of this magnitude begs the question; where does the team go from here? Take a look at some of the coaching candidates that should be on UT’s radar.
But before pushing the panic button or pulling the plug on Interim Head coach Rodney Terry, there are a few things fans should be prepared for that are not the end of the world.
De-commitments from the program should be expected as players seek other options, whether it be because of controversy or Beard being the reason they signed up in the first place.
What should be expected after Texas basketball parts ways with Chris Beard?
Spoke with Texas commit Ron Holland moments ago on the news of Chris Beard.
— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) January 5, 2023
“It is a punch in the gut. I will sit down with my family and discuss everything.” @ron2kholland
Ron Holland is a top 10 prospect in the ESPN 100 and his Duncanville team is No.1 in the country.
Texas is a strong recruiting school so even if a few players decide to change their minds, the program should bounce back once the dust settles on this season. The big priority needs to be maintaining or finding a new identity. A defensive-minded team allowing 116 points from an unranked Kansas State team is unacceptable.
Terry needs to inspire the locker room and remind the young men on this team that at one point this season Texas was the No. 2 team in the country. The season is by no means a wash but some experimentation may be a welcome addition for a team struggling to perform at its greatest strength.
With such a talented roster, expect Texas to fight tooth and nail to remain a top-10 team in the NCAA with or without coaching woes. A run in the NCAA tournament is not out of the cards either. If the former or latter occurs and the Longhorns are able to land a first-class coaching hire in the off-season do not expect much to change in Austin.
Next. 3 struggling players that must step up in January. dark
If the season blows up then recruits and coaches are likely to be wary of suiting up in burnt orange. Whether Terry is the head coach next season or not, his performance leading the team may affect the team for years to come.