Beard introduced as new UALR men's basketball coach

Former Angelo State coach promises focus on academics, winning

New UALR men's basketball coach Chris Beard shakes hands with junior guard Kemy Osse after an introductory news conference.
New UALR men's basketball coach Chris Beard shakes hands with junior guard Kemy Osse after an introductory news conference.

New UALR men's basketball coach Chris Beard promised a focus on academics, winning and generating excitement for the program Wednesday at an introductory news conference at the Jack Stephens Center.

Beard comes to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock from Angelo State, where he posted a 47-15 record, and takes over a UALR basketball team that has had three straight losing seasons. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported the hire in Wednesday's edition.

Beard, who also spent 10 years as an assistant coach under Bobby Knight and Pat Knight at Texas Tech, said he's committed to making sure players win, graduate and are "prepared for life" and to have a job.

"We are gonna win," Beard said, several UALR players sitting in the front row just in front of him. "We're going to do it the right way. We're going to compete for championships. We're going to play meaningful games in the month of March."

Athletic Director Chasse Conque noted Beard's time under Bobby Knight, who he called "one of the greatest minds in the game," and called Beard a "proven winner" with a career head coach winning percentage exceeding 75 percent.

"He's won everywhere along the way," Conque said. "Winning is truly in his DNA."

Beard said accepting the UALR job was a "no-brainer" in part because it combines a smaller college-town feel with a larger city, adding that he's "never been more excited to live somewhere in my life."

And, he said, he would be a fixture in the community, drumming up support for the program and trying to get students and non-students into the stands.

At one point he noted his first home game could be a sellout if everyone in attendance at the news conference brought 10 or 15 people with them to that game.

"We're going to work hard," he said. "We're going to sell our basketball program."

See Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full coverage.

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