MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Chris Beard has never ventured far from the work, work, work approach that guided his career on its winding path through obscure, overlooked coaching jobs.
No reason to change it, not with Beard guiding Texas Tech to college basketball's biggest stage at the Final Four — and now recognition as The Associated Press men's college basketball coach of the year.
"I've always believed you have to be who you are," Beard said in an interview with the AP. "You can never forget who you are. ... Sometimes as you advance in the profession and the logo on your shirt changes or the title next to your name changes, you kind of change.