Texas Tech’s Chris Beard rapidly emerging as top choice for Texas

IndyStar-USA TODAY Sports The tension drifting down from the South Plains through Hill Country to Austin almost feels palpable late Friday evening.

That’s because Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Chris Beard is rapidly emerging as the top candidate for the Texas Longhorns to replace Shaka Smart, who departed the Forty Acres on Friday after six seasons to take over as the Marquette Golden Eagles head coach.

A source told LonghornsCountry.com that Texas athletics director Chris Del Conte is in “active pursuit” of Beard, who just finished his fifth season as the head coach in Lubbock with a record of 112-55, including a trip to the national championship game against Virginia two years ago, a…