Chris Beard has now led four schools to NCAA Tournament wins during his coaching career, but it did not take the path he expected. Legal troubles from a domestic dispute cost him a dream job and left questions about his ability to return at the top of college basketball.

Chris Beard and the Ole Miss Rebels saw their season come to an end after losing to the Michigan State Spartans in the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. It was a big run for the 6-seed Rebels, making their first appearance in the Sweet 16 since 2001.

Chris Beard proved at Texas Tech that he can build a national contender at a school without much of an NCAA Tournament history. Now he’s doing the same at Mississippi. Ole Miss (24-11) is in the Sweet 16 for just the second time ever — and first time since 2001 — after defeating North Carolina and trouncing Iowa State in the first two rounds of