MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Rules By: Representative Deweese House Resolution 133 A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEN'S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH, CHRIS BEARD, UPON BEING NAMED THE 2025 JIM PHELAN NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR. WHEREAS, the University of Mississippi Men's Basketball Head Coach, Chris Beard, has been named the 2025 Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year following a historic season for the Ole Miss Rebels; and WHEREAS, the Jim Phelan Award is named in honor of the head coach who is best known for his 49-year career at Mount Saint Mary's, where he accumulated over 800 wins and was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008; and WHEREAS, under the expert guidance and tutelage of Coach Beard, Ole Miss advanced to just its second Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament in school history and won its first March Madness games since 2013; and WHEREAS, Coach Beard was awarded this prestigious honor in just his second year at the helm of the program, but in his two years, he has pushed Ole Miss to historic heights, matching the program's furthest run in the NCAA Tournament with a Sweet 16 appearance; and WHEREAS, during the 2024-2025 season, the Rebels performed remarkably well and accumulated 24 wins this past season, tied for the third-most in program history, and set numerous statistical records; and WHEREAS, during the 2025 NCAA Tournament, the Rebels picked up a victory over North Carolina in the opening round before a convincing win over No. 3 seed Iowa State in the second round, and while they narrowly fell to No. 2-seeded Michigan State by three points in the Sweet 16, they established that, under the leadership of Coach Beard, they will be a force to be reckoned with in future seasons; and WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor fine Mississippi educators and coaches, especially those such as Coach Chris Beard, a remarkable individual and excellent basketball coach who serves as an inspiration to all those who have the opportunity to learn and flourish under his tutelage, bringing glory and honor to the University of Mississippi and the entire State of Mississippi: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the University of Mississippi Men's Basketball Head Coach, Chris Beard, upon being named the 2025 Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year, and extend best wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach Chris Beard and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Deweese
# House Resolution 133
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEN'S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH, CHRIS BEARD, UPON BEING NAMED THE 2025 JIM PHELAN NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR.
WHEREAS, the University of Mississippi Men's Basketball Head Coach, Chris Beard, has been named the 2025 Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year following a historic season for the Ole Miss Rebels; and
WHEREAS, the Jim Phelan Award is named in honor of the head coach who is best known for his 49-year career at Mount Saint Mary's, where he accumulated over 800 wins and was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008; and
WHEREAS, under the expert guidance and tutelage of Coach Beard, Ole Miss advanced to just its second Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament in school history and won its first March Madness games since 2013; and
WHEREAS, Coach Beard was awarded this prestigious honor in just his second year at the helm of the program, but in his two years, he has pushed Ole Miss to historic heights, matching the program's furthest run in the NCAA Tournament with a Sweet 16 appearance; and
WHEREAS, during the 2024-2025 season, the Rebels performed remarkably well and accumulated 24 wins this past season, tied for the third-most in program history, and set numerous statistical records; and
WHEREAS, during the 2025 NCAA Tournament, the Rebels picked up a victory over North Carolina in the opening round before a convincing win over No. 3 seed Iowa State in the second round, and while they narrowly fell to No. 2-seeded Michigan State by three points in the Sweet 16, they established that, under the leadership of Coach Beard, they will be a force to be reckoned with in future seasons; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor fine Mississippi educators and coaches, especially those such as Coach Chris Beard, a remarkable individual and excellent basketball coach who serves as an inspiration to all those who have the opportunity to learn and flourish under his tutelage, bringing glory and honor to the University of Mississippi and the entire State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the University of Mississippi Men's Basketball Head Coach, Chris Beard, upon being named the 2025 Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year, and extend best wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach Chris Beard and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.