In the 2016 NCAA Tournament, Little Rock upset No. 5-seeded Purdue in the first round, thanks to the leadership of Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard.
Due to his extensive coaching background, experience in the Southeastern Conference, and familiarity with the state, many believe Beard is the Razorbacks’ top choice to replace Musselman.
Beard served as Texas Tech’s legendary coach Bob Knight’s assistant from 2001 to 2008 before guiding Little Rock to its first NCAA Tournament in five years. In 2016, Beard returned to Lubbock as head coach after spending his one and only year in Little Rock. In five seasons, he guided Texas Tech to three NCAA Tournament appearances, and in 2019, he finished second nationally.
