Austin American-Statesman: New Big 12 basketball coaches eager to recruit across Texas
By Kevin Lyttle – American-Statesman Staff
New hires at Tech, TCU and Oklahoma State said fertile recruiting ground in Texas drew them to Big 12.
Three new head coaches with ties to Texas will make over the face of Big 12 men’s basketball next season, and all said Wednesday that the state’s large talent base is a big reason why they took the jobs.
Chris Beard hopped from Arkansas-Little Rock to UNLV after guiding the Trojans to a 30-5 record and the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Nineteen days later, he headed to Texas Tech.
“The timing was terrible, but I’m from Texas and I take a lot of pride in growing up here, having relationships with coaches across the state,†Beard, a former Longhorns and Red Raiders assistant, said during the Big 12 coaches’ annual summer teleconference.
“I appreciate basketball in Texas, and there is a lot of talent here. We’re off to a good start. We’ve already added five players.â€
New TCU coach Jamie Dixon, who surprised many by leaving Pittsburgh, is a Horned Frogs alum.
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