Who can replace Chris Beard at Texas Longhorns basketball? Looking at potential replacements, including Rodney Terry

Chris Beard and the Texas Longhorns looked like a potential match made in heaven. Under Beard's command, the Longhorns looked like a college basketball program on the rise.

But Beard was dismissed from the program on Jan. 5 after a domestic violence incident with his fiance in December. (The domestic violence case was dismissed this week by the Travis County district attorney's office.) It was a shocking result, especially for a coach with his pedigree.

The Longhorns are looking to become a consistent contender in the Big 12 (and eventually the Southeastern Conference). With the resources befitting of a powerhouse, Texas now has one of the top openings in the country. Here's a look at some candidates that could be on the list to take the job after this season.

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Texas Longhorns' potential replacements for former coach Chris Beard

Rodney Terry

Could a replacement for Chris Beard already be in Texas?

Interim head coach Rodney Terry took over for Texas a day after Beard was suspended on Dec. 12. To say that Terry has done an outstanding job would be an understatement. Not many coaches can step in and keep a team on course the way that Terry has.

Sixth-ranked Texas has gone 13-5, including 9-4 in the Big 12, under Terry.

There's going to be plenty of big names connected to the opening. But Terry has deserved the opportunity to be rewarded with the job. The Longhorns (20-6, 9-4) are in a battle with the fifth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks (21-5, 9-4) atop the Big 12. And Texas could be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Nate Oats

Alabama coach Nate Oats

One of the biggest names that could be on the radar for the Texas Longhorns is Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats. One of the country's top coaches, Oats has been with Alabama since 2019. The Crimson Tide (22-4, 12-1 SEC) just earned the No. 1 ranking before a 68-59 road loss to the 10th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers on Wednesday.

Oats has been extremely successful in Tusacaloosa. He's made the tournament with Alabama in his last two seasons, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2020-21. It would be a big swing for the Longhorns to try to entice Oats to leave Alabama, a program that he's done such a great job building into an SEC contender.

Mick Cronin

UCLA coach Mick Cronin

Another wild-card attempt from Texas could be going after UCLA Bruins coach Mick Cronin. In terms of a consistent head coach, Cronin fits the bill. He's a no-nonsense type of presence who demands the best out of his players. Cronin has had success at almost every school he's been apart of.

After leading the Cincinnati Bearcats to three 30-win seasons, Cronin was hired by UCLA. Since taking over in 2019-20, UCLA has had back-to-back winning seasons. That also includes a Final Four run in 2020-21 and a Sweet 16 appearance last year.