Not much made it through the metaphorical earmuffs former Texas basketball coach Chris Beard brought with him to the Moody Center.
Beard said he didn’t hear the boos that descended from the crowd when his name was introduced along with the rest of the Ole Miss Rebels. Making his first trip back to the hardwood in Austin since Texas fired him for cause in the wake of a felony domestic violence charge that was later dropped, Beard said he viewed the date as just “the next game on the schedule.”
Article continues below this ad
Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) puts the ball up to score during the first half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) dodges around Mississippi Rebels forward Augusto Cassia (88) to defend guard Ilias Kamardine (6) in the second half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) puts the ball up in the second half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) stands with his team after Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) shoots for three points in the second half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Mississippi Rebels guard AJ Storr (2) drives to the hoop as Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) during the first half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
The Mississippi Rebels get ready to play against the Texas Longhorns at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns forward John Clark (9) passes out of the corner as Mississippi Rebels guard Eduardo Klafke (8) defends in the second half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) is announced in the starting lineup ahead of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) puts the ball up as Mississippi Rebels forward Malik Dia (0) and guard Kezza Giffa (13) defend in the second half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) and guard Simeon Wilcher (7) smile after a run of points in the second half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller and Mississippi Rebels head coach Chris Beard shake hands ahead of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller yells at his team to get back to defend in the second half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) moves through the Mississippi Rebels defense to get the ball up in the first half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas tries to distract Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) during an interview after Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Mississippi Rebels guard Ilias Kamardine (6) looks for a way around defense from Texas Longhorns guard Simeon Wilcher (7) during the first half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) plays defense in the second half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) shoots in the second half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns forward Cole Bott (1) celebrates a foul call from the bench in the second half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas fans boo as Mississippi Rebels head coach Chris Beard walks onto the court ahead of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Beard was formerly the coach at Texas, but was fired in 2023.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns forward John Clark (9) defends against Mississippi Rebels guard Kezza Giffa (13) in the second half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) grabs the rebound over Mississippi Rebels forward Augusto Cassia (88) in the second half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) is fouled by Mississippi Rebels forward Augusto Cassia (88) during the first half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
The Texas Pom team perform in the first half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) pushes past defense from Mississippi Rebels guard Kezza Giffa (13) during the first half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) reaches for a rebound during the first half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Mississippi Rebels guard Kezza Giffa (13) shoots a free throw in the first half of the Texas Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns guard Chendall Weaver (2) puts the ball up to score during the first half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) battles defend from Mississippi Rebels guard Ilias Kamardine (6) to get the ball up in the second half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns forward Camden Heide (5) defends against Mississippi Rebels guard Eduardo Klafke (8) in the second half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) looks for a pass around defense from Mississippi Rebels guard Ilias Kamardine (6) during the first half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns head coach Sean Miller looks back to his bench during the first half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) and Mississippi Rebels forward Corey Chest (1) dives after a loose ball during the first half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) reacts to a foul call in the second half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) dunks as Mississippi Rebels forward Corey Chest (1) defends during the first half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Mississippi Rebels guard Eduardo Klafke (8) reaches for a rebound during the first half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) misses a shot in the second half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
The Texas Longhorns and Mississippi Rebels tip off at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Mississippi Rebels head coach Chris Beard shakes hands with Texas players after Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) defends as Mississippi Rebels guard Patton Pinkins (23) shoots in the second half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
in the second half of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Pope (0) stands with his team after Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Texas won the game 79-68.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
“No coaching speak, I really didn’t notice it,” Beard said, asked about his reception. “I thought it was a great home crowd for basketball on a Saturday in Austin, Texas. I did hear a few things from the student section entering the floor and leaving the floor, but no different than the things you hear at other great home court advantages around the country. So, certainly not trying to avoid the question, but I was pretty locked in.”
Mississippi Rebels head coach Chris Beard walks onto the court ahead of the Longhorns’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Moody Center in Austin, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Beard was formerly the coach at Texas, but was fired in 2023.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Beard’s laser focus, he said, blocked out the noise. But it couldn’t block Matas Vokietaitis.
Article continues below this ad
The Texas big man scored on nine of his 11 field goal attempts on his way to a 27-point showing that helped the Longhorns hand Beard’s Rebels a 79-68 defeat.
MORE: Which Longhorns teams made a profit? And 2 more things we learned from Texas financial docs
“We had no answer for their big guy inside,” Beard said.
Article continues below this ad
Texas coach Sean Miller concurred.
“I thought Matas was the difference in the game,” he said.
Vokietaitis, an offseason addition of Miller’s from Florida Atlantic, is among those charged with creating a new foundation for Texas basketball — one divorced from Beard, whose 42-game tenure coaching the Longhorns began in 2021 with grand visions of a Texas-Ex leading the Longhorns to glory after he brought Texas Tech to the national championship game.
MORE; Grass could be coming to DKR — and that’s not the only change
Article continues below this ad
Less than five years on, few remnants of that time remain. Walk-on Cole Bott has stuck around. So has athletic trainer Warren Young. Chris Ogden, an assistant under Beard, is the general manager for Miller as he navigates his first season in Austin as the replacement for the fired Rodney Terry, a former Beard assistant.
Ole Miss hired Beard in 2023, citing a thorough vetting process into the events between Beard and his then-fiancée, Randi Trew, that led to his firing at Texas.
“People are going to believe what they’re going to believe, and some of the things we have to do now is just move forward,” Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter said when he hired Beard.”For us, we would not be sitting here today if we didn’t feel very confident in what we know happened in that situation.”
After taking Ole Miss (11-12, 3-7 SEC) to the Sweet 16 last season, Beard is in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years since his controversial appointment. The Longhorns handed the Rebels their fourth consecutive loss Saturday as they fell to 3-12 against power conference opposition.
Article continues below this ad
In doing so, the Longhorns avoided what would have been a damaging defeat for their own NCAA Tournament hopes. Ole Miss arrived in Austin at No. 82 in the NET rankings, which made this a Quadrant 3 game for Texas as far as the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee is concerned.
Put more simply: Had the Longhorns (15-9, 6-5) lost this game, it would have been held against them on Selection Sunday.
Despite allowing Ole Miss back into a game it led by 18 in the first half, Texas closed the afternoon on a 14-0 run to avoid the setback — and the unsavory storylines that would have come with it.
Article continues below this ad
“(It was) a win that they had to have with their NCAA Tournament aspirations,” Beard said.