Texas basketball fires Chris Beard after domestic violence charge

The University of Texas fired men’s basketball head coach Chris Beard following his domestic violence arrest in December.

On Thursday, the University of Texas announced that they have fired Longhorn’s men’s basketball coach Chris Beard stemming from being charged with domestic violence last month.

Texas vice president and athletics director Chris Del Conte released an official statement announcing the change. Additionally, they announced that associate head coach Rodney Terry will be in charge for the remainder of the season after he took over following Beard’s arrest.

“The University of Texas has parted ways with Chris Beard,” he said. “This has been a difficult situation that we’ve been diligently working through. Today I informed Mr. Beard of our decision to terminate him effective immediately.

“We thank Coach Rodney Terry for his exemplary leadership both on and off the court at a time when our team needed it most. We are grateful he will remain the acting head coach for the remainder of the season.

“We are proud of our student-athletes, coaches and staff, who throughout this difficult time have continued to make us proud to be Longhorns.”

Beard has reportedly been fired with cause and he will not be paid any remaining salary or a buyout from his seven-year, $35 million contract that was set to run through 2028, per Matt Norlander of CBS Sports.

Texas fire head coach Chris Beard following domestic violence charge

Trigger warning: there are details of domestic violence in this article.

Beard was charged with third-degree felony assault in an incident involving his fiancee, Randi Trew, on Dec. 12. Trew told police that Beard had choked, bit, and hit her when the two had an argument.

In the police report, via ESPN, it said that Trew told officers that Beard strangled her from behind that left her unable to breath for several minutes. Additionally, the report noted that Trew had bite marks on her arm and abrasions on her legs and face.

Trew withdrew her comments that she made to the police, saying that she was the initiator of the incident and that Beard had been acting in self defense. Additionally, Trew said that Beard never strangled her.

Beard, a Texas alum, was hired to be the head coach of the Longhorn’s men’s basketball team in 2021. He had previously led the Texas Tech Red Raiders men’s basketball program, where he did lead them to the National Championship Game in 2019.

The Longhorns made the NCAA Tournament last year, where they were eliminated in the second round by Purdue. Beard had only coached 14 games before he was suspended indefinitely following his arrest.

In his two years with Texas, Beard held a 34-14 record.