Just over four years ago, the future of Texas Tech basketball was changed forever when Chris Beard was hired to replace Tubby Smith, who unexpectedly bolted for Memphis after leading the Red Raiders to the NCAA Tournament. In hindsight, we all owe Memphis and Coach Smith a huge debt of gratitude.
This week, ESPN released its list of the 25 best college basketball hires of the last 25 years, and not surprisingly, Beard is on that list. After all, he took one of the most downtrodden programs in a major conference to the Elite Eight and National Title Game in consecutive seasons.