Column: Chris Beard is absolutely worth the money

Although Ole Miss Men’s Basketball head coach Chris Beard is only just beginning his fourth year with the program, some fans are already voicing skepticism — namely, because the Rebels had a catastrophic 2025-26 season, coupled with Beard being the eighth-highest-paid coach in men’s college basketball following Purdue coach Matt Painter’s extension last week.

Ole Miss fans need to be patient. Beard is only in his fourth season with the Rebels. Ole Miss Men’s Basketball is not a storied program, and fans need to rein in their expectations.

Fans may point to Florida’s Todd Golden, whose Gators improved exponentially under his leadership, winning the National Championship in only his third…