The Texas Tech Red Raiders have exceeded everyone's expectations this season, except for Chris Beard's. He expected this. He told us that Texas Tech would be in the Final Four on the first day he stepped on campus as the head coach.

It's that vision, Chris Beard's ability to instill a culture, and his integrity that make him a great coach. Beard didn't need an award to confirm it, but he will need to clear off space in his trophy closet anyways, because he's been named the AP Coach of the Year.

He's the first Texas Tech Men's basketball coach to receive the honor, and the first in the Big 12 since Bill Self.

The Red Raiders are 30-6, Big 12 Champs, West Region Champs, and in the Final Four after losing most of the production from their last Elite Eight run. The Big 12 media picked Texas Tech to finish 7th. The national media had Texas Tech unranked to start the year.

Chris Beard expected greatness, and he's gotten it from his team.

Congratulations to the Coach of the Year, Coach Chris Beard.

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