Ole Miss Rebels' Chris Beard Discusses New Staff, Players During 2023 SEC Media Days

Ole Miss Rebels men's basketball coach Chris Beard had high praise for one of his newest players during the 2023 SEC Media Days on Wednesday.

OXFORD, Miss. -- The Southeastern Conference opened its 2023 Men's Basketball Media Days on Wednesday, and Ole Miss Rebels coach Chris Beard got the opportunity to speak with reporters the morning of. 

In Beard's first-ever SEC Media Days appearance, he opened his presser by giving a shoutout to one of his new assistants who was with him when he took the Little Rock Trojans to the NCAA Tournament in 2016.

"Wes Flanigan was a huge addition to our staff," Beard told reporters. "He's one of my best friends in life. What we built together and experienced at Little Rock was special. I certainly pulled for him in his time at Auburn with coach [Bruce] Pearl. From a basketball standpoint, he's one of the best players to ever play in the SEC at the guard position at Auburn, and his son [Allen] has got a chance to be in that same category. 

"I'm blessed to not only have a great coach back on our staff but one of my best friends."

Wes Flanigan joined the Rebels in April after spending the last five seasons on the Auburn Tigers' coaching staff. His son, Allen Flanigan, also joined the Rebels this offseason after spending four seasons at Auburn, where he averaged 8.5 points and 5.5 assists per game. 

Ole Miss Rebels men's basketball coach Chris Beard speaking during 2023 SEC Media Days / © Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Beard had high praise for Flanigan and talked about his development as a player.

"When we were in Little Rock, Al was just a kid growing up," Beard said. "He'd come to summer basketball camp and would always be at practice getting shots up... It has been awesome watching his development and how he's grown. I'm looking forward to coaching, in my opinion, what I think is one of the best players in college basketball. Also excited about spending the 7-8 month journey with someone I have a lot of respect for as a person."

Beard has a lot of confidence in Flanigan, as he is one of just two players joining the team for SEC Media Days. 

"This is Al Flanigan morning, I don't mind it," Beard said with a grin. "He really is a good player... Al's earned my trust. He shows up every day, does what's expected of him, and he obviously produces as well. We're excited to have Al in his first year with this Ole Miss team."

Beard also talked about four-star freshman Rashaud Marshall, who previously decommitted from Ole Miss after Kermit Davis was fired in February. The 6-foot-8 center later committed to the Rebels again in May, and is now gearing up for his first season under Beard. 

"We think we have one of the best freshmen in the country in Rashaud," Beard said. "Does not mean all the pressure is going to be on him as a young guy, but we do think he is talented and disciplined enough to contribute early in his career."

Beard was very appreciative of the work Davis did while he was at Ole Miss.

"I give Kermit Davis a lot of credit," Beard said. "We've walked into a really good situation in a lot of ways at Ole Miss because the foundation has been laid. We inherited a lot of really good players. We inherited a program that had a lot of good things going on in the community. We're just blessed to follow Kermit, who in my opinion, is one of the best guys who has ever done it in college basketball - certainly one of the best guys who has ever coached in the SEC."

The Rebels will open their 2023-24 season on Monday, Nov. 6 with a matchup versus the Alabama State Hornets in the Sandy and John Black Pavilion. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CT, and the game can be viewed on SEC Network+ or ESPN+.