With the departure of Tubby Smith to Memphis, the focus now shifts to a coaching search for Texas Tech’s new men’s head basketball coach.

Athletics Director Kirby Hocutt would not reveal a list, when asked about former longtime Tech assistant coach Chris Beard(who is now the head coach at UNLV).

“I’m not going to comment on candidates, this is unexpected,” said Hocutt. “As soon as we finish here, my focus, 24/7 is going to turn to this basketball coaching search, and we’ll look throughout the country. We’ll make sure, as I told his basketball team, we’ll bring the best man in to lead them going forward.”

As for Beard?

He raved about Lubbock and Texas Tech, after his Arkansas Little-Rock team came to United Supermarkets Arena and lost vs Tubby Smith and the Red Raiders.

Click the video to hear Beard’s comments about Tech…

Also, tune in to KAMC & Red Raider Nation at 5, 6 & 10 for more on Texas Tech basketball.