Chris Beard on Leaving Tech: ‘It was one of the most difficult decisions of my life’
It’s been two weeks since Chris Beard crushed hearts in Lubbock, Texas to leave the Red Raiders for the Texas Longhorns.
Since then, Beard has done his press conference and released a “Thank you” note for Texas Tech fans, but this week he talked with CBS Sports Radio’s Jim Rome in a more unfiltered manner about leaving the Red Raiders for the Longhorns.
“It was very difficult,” Beard said to Rome on CBS Sports Radio and CBS Sports Network. “And I won’t shy away from that question. I never will. It was one of the most difficult decisions in my life. But just like I tell the players, I’ve been taught, ‘You make a decision in life and you make it right, you make it right with your work ethic and vision.’ I do try to live my life with a no-regret philosophy, but I’m really proud of our time there. Wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Beard went on to say, “But this is the next chapter. My feet are firmly planted in Austin, Texas. I think we put one of the best coaching staffs together in the country. Recruiting’s going well.”
Beard also talked about his time in a positive light and what it means for his successor, adding, “But I’m very proud of my time at Tech. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I think the success speaks for itself. Really proud that our assistant coach, Mark Adams, got a head-coaching opportunity. So I think when the team wins, everybody wins. Just very similar to when some of our great players leave early. You’re sad and disappointed, but you’re very, very happy that those guys are chasing their dreams.”
Adams was a part of the 2019 Final Four staff and has been with Texas Tech since 2016. He made his first stint with the Red Raiders as director of basketball operations from 2013-15. For the 2015-16 season, Adams was an assistant at Little Rock under Beard for one year.
Chris Beard went 112-55 (49-40 Big 12), including three straight possible NCAA tournaments and a run to the 2019 Final Four during his five seasons in Lubbock.
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