The coach’s Tech tenure would last only two more seasons. Beard dealt a shocking blow to Lubbock when he departed for Texas in 2021. Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte flew out to the small town of Plainview in April to hold an early-morning meeting with Beard.

Willard had long been linked to the opening, and rumors began swirling that Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams would jump for the Maryland job if it opened. It was a rumor that became a reality on Tuesday as Williams did just that, leaving his post in College Station.

Chris Beard is staying at Ole Miss. The 52-year-old will remain the Rebels' head men's basketball coach despite interest from Texas A&M for the school's vacant job. On3's Pete Nakos reported Wednesday that Ole Miss was able to lure Beard back by offering a "significant boost" to his salary and NIL resources.