Ole Miss Coach Chris Beard Praised for Classy Gesture Toward Alabama's Charles Bediako

Beard met with the Ole Miss cheering section and wrote a supportive note to the former Alabama center before their matchup.

Feb. 12, 2026 at 1:23am

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Alabama head coach Nate Oats praised Ole Miss coach Chris Beard for his classy actions toward Alabama center Charles Bediako before their recent matchup. Beard met with the Ole Miss cheering section to ensure Bediako would not be booed, and he also wrote a supportive note to Bediako, which Oats described as "one of the classiest moves" he has ever seen from an opposing coach.

Why it matters

Bediako has faced backlash and negative treatment from fans during Alabama's road games since being denied eligibility, so Beard's actions to protect him and offer encouragement show compassion and leadership from an opposing coach.

The details

Oats shared that Beard called him the day before the game to ensure Bediako would not be subjected to any negative treatment from the Ole Miss crowd. Beard also met with the Ole Miss cheering section to request they not boo Bediako. Additionally, Beard wrote a personal note to Bediako, which Oats described as extremely thoughtful and supportive of the young player amid his difficult situation.

  • The game between Alabama and Ole Miss took place on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.

The players

Chris Beard

The head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels basketball team.

Nate Oats

The head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team.

Charles Bediako

A former Alabama Crimson Tide basketball player who was recently denied eligibility, leading to backlash and negative treatment from fans during Alabama's road games.

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What they’re saying

“Some of the opposing coaches understand that we are dealing with a human, a young man that obviously is disappointed. The system's broken as we know it, and he's a victim of a broken system. But he's still a human and a young man.”

— Nate Oats, Alabama Crimson Tide Head Coach

“Look, I assure you, that's not happening here. I've already met with the cheering section, everything's going to be positive here. He won't get any of that here.”

— Chris Beard, Ole Miss Rebels Head Coach

“Then he said, 'I also got something I want you to give [Bediako].' He came to our shootaround last night, he handed me a note and took a picture, sent it to Charles. I'll give it to him in person when we get back. It was one of the most classy notes to a kid from an opposing coach, and it doesn't happen often. But one of the classiest moves I've ever seen, and he didn't do it to get any recognition.”

— Nate Oats, Alabama Crimson Tide Head Coach

What’s next

Bediako will continue to support his Alabama teammates as he awaits a final decision on his eligibility status.

The takeaway

Chris Beard's actions demonstrate the importance of compassion and sportsmanship, even between rival coaches and programs, when dealing with young student-athletes facing difficult circumstances.