BREAKING: Longhorns Hiring Texas Tech's Chris Beard As Head Coach
Just days after mutually parting ways with former head coach Shaka Smart, the Texas Longhorns have found the next leader of their program, in Texas Tech's Chris Beard, LonghornsCountry.com has learned.
Beard comes to the Longhorns as one of the most desirable coaches in the entire country and has led Texas Tech to three NCAA Tournaments in four seasons, including a final four and national championship game appearances.
Beard, who was a manager for the Texas Longhorns under coach Tom Penders (1991-1995), finished his time in Lubbock with a record of 112-55 (.671 winning percentage) and 49-40 (.551) in the Big 12.
READ MORE: Chris Beard to Texas? A Nightmare For Texas Tech
So how much are the Longhorns have to pay to pry Beard away from the Red Raiders? We have confirmed with UT officials that the number for that buyout would be at least $4 million.
A number which, conveniently dropped from $5 million on Thursday. That amount of money would normally be a bit of an issue for most schools, but this is Texas.
And with Smart accepting a job at another school (at the urging of UT, we are told), which allows Texas to bypass the financial ramifications from firing him, the road to finding Smart's replacement, and securing the funds to hire Beard, became that much easier.
"If we want to play big-boy basketball, we are going to have to pay the price," One source told LonghornsCountry.com.
The Longhorns will now pay that price, and what they are getting in return, they expect, will be worth the investment.
READ MORE: Longhorns Coach Hot Board: Could 2 Underdogs Emerge?
Who do you think is the best candidate to replace Smart? Comment and join in on the discussion below!