Texas Tech introduces Chris Beard; says he bolted UNLV to come 'home'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Mar 19, 2016; Denver , CO, USA; Arkansas Little Rock Trojans head coach Chris Beard gestures from court side in first half action of Iowa State vs Arkansas Little Rock during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) -- Texas Tech basketball coach Chris Beard says he couldn't resist returning home to the school where he spent 10 seasons as an assistant.
Beard bolted UNLV after less than two weeks in Las Vegas to take the Texas Tech job that opened when Tubby Smith left for Memphis.
Texas Tech held a campus news conference Saturday to introduce Beard, who calls the Big 12 school his dream job and his quick exit from UNLV a "difficult situation." He says he couldn't pass up the chance to coach Texas Tech.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Beard coached Arkansas-Little Rock last season to a school-record 30 wins in his first year as a Division I head coach. The Trojans upset Purdue in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.