How Ole Miss HC Chris Beard is finding inspiration from Tom Brady

Chris Beard is a college basketball coach at Ole Miss. Tom Brady is arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history.

Other than both of them being in the world of athletics, there’s really no crossover between Beard and Brady. They’ve never officially met, and their circles don’t connect.

Beard has been thinking about Brady a ton this offseason, though. His Rebels went 24-12 last season and made the NCAA Tournament, and now he’s trying to help them take the next step.

Winners study winners, and that’s why Beard has been focused on Brady as he prepares for 2025.

“One thing I’ve always done is each offseason I’ll try to study winning,” Beard explained at a recent news conference (h/t On3). “It doesn’t always have to happen in the form of basketball. It doesn’t always have to be athletic-minded, but just try to study successful people and try to learn what makes them tick.”

A masterclass could be taught on Brady, exploring his obsession with winning and being the best. He won seven Super Bowls during his legendary career despite the fact that he was selected out of Michigan with the 199th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft.

That meant he wasn’t expected to succeed, but he went on to become, arguably, one the greatest NFL players ever. 

That’s the type of winning attitude that Beard wants to study, so that he can pass lessons from Brady on to his team.

“With Brady, it’s like the ultimate chip-on-your-shoulder guy,” Beard explained. “Wasn’t supposed to play in college, ends up being the best player. Wasn’t supposed to be a draft pick, ends up being the best player. All of his teams won. I think his relationship with his teammates, coaches, owners, the whole deal. So, I really enjoyed trying to learn as much as I could about him.”

There may never be another winner like Brady, so coaches like Beard are right to try to soak up as much as they can about his aura.

Will that translate to wins and losses on the court for Ole Miss? Perhaps not, but Beard has done plenty of winning in his own right as a coach. 

Maybe all Ole Miss needs to take the next step is an infusion of avocado ice cream and a pep talk from the GOAT.