Texas Tech basketball: Red Raider fans with plenty to be thankful for

Beard’s new contract means talk of him leaving has stopped

At times, it was tough for Texas Tech fans to fully enjoy last season’s run to the National Title Game because at just about every turn, some national pundit was linking Beard to every possible job opening from UCLA, to Arkansas, to the director of the FBI.

But that’s not going to be a talking point this year. Thankfully, we get to experience a year free of rampant speculation over whether or not Beard is going to be in Lubbock after he became the nation’s 4th-highest-paid coach in April.

Though some may still try to suggest he will bolt for a more high-profile job, we know that’s not likely any time soon.  First of all, it would take a massive financial offer to beat what Tech is paying Beard and it would take even more to outbid Tech.  There just aren’t a ton of schools that can win a bidding war against Tech for Beard given how much the Red Raider boosters would pay to keep their man in place.

Second, Beard has just about everything he wants in Lubbock, especially with the $28 million dollar Womble Practice Facility set to open next fall.  It will be one of the finest practice facilities in the nation and will put Beard’s program in the lap of luxury.

Third, he’s already proven to himself that he can win a national title at Tech.  After all, he came within 12 seconds of doing just that in April.

Finally, don’t forget his roots in the area.  Including his time on Bob Knight’s staff, he’s been a coach at Tech for longer than the rest of his coaching stops combined. And two of his daughters still live in nearby Abilene.  This is home, as he said in his introductory press conference.

So enjoy this year free from the speculation that Beard will be leaving for greener pastures anytime soon.  He is taken care of and building the program of his dreams right where he wants to.  In the only place that’s been home during his adult life.