After Texas Longhorns men’s basketball coach Chris Beard was arrested Monday morning and charged with assault on a family member, the University of Texas has suspended him without pay until further notice.
The school released a statement Monday evening just before their scheduled basketball game against Rice. They also announced associate head coach Rodney Terry will serve as acting head coach for the foreseeable future.
Texas has suspended men’s head basketball coach Chris Beard. Rodney Terry will serve as acting head coach. pic.twitter.com/ygOXohrTGI
— Jeff Howe (@JeffHowe247) December 12, 2022
Beard, who was charged with a third-degree felony, was released from an Austin jail on Monday afternoon. Soon after, Austin American-Statesman reporter Ryan Autullo obtained Chris Beard’s arrest affidavit and shared some shocking allegations.
“A woman told police Beard ‘choked me, threw me off the bed, bit me, bruises all over my leg, throwing me around, and going nuts,’” wrote Autullo. “She said the choking lasted for five seconds and impeded her breathing, police say.”
Beard’s attorney, Perry Minton, told the Austin American-Statesman that his client “is 100% innocent of these charges.”
“He should never have been arrested,” Minton told the paper. “The complainant wants him released immediately and all charges dismissed. It is truly inconceivable.”
Beard is currently in the second year of his seven-year deal with the school, which pays him over $5 million per year. Texas is currently No. 7 in the AP Poll and is 7-1 on the season so far.
According to ESPN, there is a clause in Beard’s contract that would allow the university to fire him for cause “for conduct the administration reasonably determines reflects poorly on the coach, program, school or university system.”
