On Feb. 15, the Travis County District Attorney’s office announced they would not further pursue the case or prosecution. Not even a month later, on March 13, Beard was hired as the Rebel’s 23rd head coach.
That move was more than a questionable look for the athletic department and all of the donors and fans who supported the decision with little to no hesitancy. As a sports fan, I understand wanting your team to win by any means necessary. Usually when fans say that, it’s a figure of speech. I fear Ole Miss took it too literally. Now, we have a winning record to open the season, but at what cost?
With this hiring, Ole Miss has unfortunately become yet another institution that does not take domestic violence allegations seriously, whether the sports administration admits to it or not.
I ask this question: What if a student acted in that manner and received those criminal charges?
Or, a hellish hypothetical for the athletics department to ponder, a student-athlete?
What if it was a professor?
It is critical to understand that a student, professor, sorority girl, fraternity boy, chess club member, Esports star, Rebel Market enthusiast, Einstein Bros. frequenter or faculty member would likely not receive this sort of mercy from the university.
Proponents of Beard’s hiring would likely argue that he is innocent in the eyes of the criminal justice system and that all of this transpired prior to any involvement with the university. True enough. Still, the ambiguity and severity of the events that may have transpired leaves a glaring hole of doubt and concern.
Time and time again we see prominent industry heads like Beard crawl out of similar situations accountability free with only their reputations taking a hit. Despite the concerns this incident raised, Beard successfully found a university desperate enough to welcome him with open arms.
Winning may solve everything, but it doesn’t fix character concerns. In the grand scheme of things, Beard lost nothing this time around considering that his freedom and liberty were at risk. Not even a year later, he’s the figurehead for another D-1, Power-5 basketball program. Ultimately, is Chris Beard, and the baggage he’s brought to Oxford, what you want leading a group of young men?
Justice Rose is the opinion editor. He is a junior journalism major from Madison, Miss.
