New Orleans Pelicans Head Coaching Candidate: Chris Beard
Chris Beard: Texas Tech
The first coach in the NCAA ranks that the Pelicans should look to is Texas Tech’s Chris Beard. Beard in just a few years has rebuilt the Texas Tech program into a college basketball powerhouse.
He has shown a knack for finding recruits all over the country with all different types of backgrounds and making them into successful players. It’s the main reason why he led Texas Tech to the 2019 national championship game.
Beard also brings a true personality to the game. He can be loud and energetic both in practice and on the sidelines. Don’t mistake him for just a simple college basketball drill-sergeant though.
What Beard is really is a players coach with a strong system fit for the NBA. Beard backs his guys no matter what and cares about their growth as players which is something a young team needs.
On top of that, his system that is reliant on motion offense and the “no-middle” defense is something that would be a valuable addition to the NBA because it holds true on what the modern NBA is really about: three-point shooting and switchable defense.
Why He Fits The Pelicans
The real reason Beard fits the New Orleans Pelicans so well is that he is the perfect combination of player development expert and basketball tactician.
Beard’s personality and at times intensity might be just what the youth on the Pelicans need to really develop to their potential. He’s going to work the Pelicans in practice but he’s also going to listen to them and put the team in the best position to succeed.
On the defensive side of the ball, Beard is primed to be a coach who can improve the Pelicans’ 20th ranked defense.
The “no middle” defensive scheme he runs at Texas Tech is perfect for the length and defensive versatility the Pelicans have. It’s a system very similar to the Golden State Warriors’ defense under Steve Kerr.
For the team’s offense, they’ll be a more structured style for the New Orleans Pelicans without giving up the team’s freedom. Coach Gentry often just had the players go out and run but under Beard, they’ll be a continuity offense that is built on specific principles to set up easy looks at the basket and beyond the arc but the players have the freedom decide what happens.
If the New Orleans Pelicans can entice him to leave Texas Tech he might be one of the next great coaches in the game.