University Of Texas Suspends Men’s Basketball Coach Chris Beard Following Arrest
The University of Texas announced Tuesday morning it has suspended its men’s basketball head coach Chris Beard without pay. The length of the suspension is unclear and could last until Beard’s legal issues are resolved. The suspension comes a day after Beard was arrested and charged with a felony for allegedly strangling a woman in a domestic incident. Reports say Beard is allegedly engaged to the woman who filed a report with police.
“The University takes matters of interpersonal violence involving members of its community seriously,” Texas said in its statement. “Given the information available, The University has suspended Chris Beard from his position as head coach of Men’s Basketball and will withhold his pay until further notice.”
Beard, 49, was charged with assault on a family/household member impede breath circulation.
In Beard’s arrest affidavit, the woman allegedly told police that Beard “choked me, threw me off the bed, bit me, bruises all over my leg, throwing me around, and going nuts.” She allegedly told police she was choked for five seconds and it impeded her breathing.
Attorney Perry Minton is repping Beard. He claims the woman who accused Beard wants all charges dismissed, which means she may not cooperate with a prosecution.
“Coach Beard is 100 percent innocent of these charges. He should have never been arrested,” Minton said.
Assistant coach Rodney Terry will coach the Longhorns while Beard is suspended.
Beard, a former Longhorns player, is coaching his second season at UT. Last year, he led the Longhorns to a 22-12 record and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. This year, the team has a 7-1 start.
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