Texas men’s basketball coach Beard arrested
Texas men’s basketball coach Chris Beard was arrested and charged with assault on a family member early Monday, according to Austin police. Here’s what we know so far:
Who is Chris Beard?
Beard, 49, is in his second year coaching the Texas men’s basketball team. Before replacing Shaka Smart in 2021, Beard spent five seasons at Texas Tech and led the Red Raiders to the NCAA championship game in 2019. Beard, who has also coached at Fort Scott Community College, Seminole State College, McMurry University, Angelo State and Arkansas-Little Rock, is a 1995 Texas graduate.
Beard’s No. 8-ranked Longhorns (7-1) are scheduled to host Rice on Monday night. Texas last played on Saturday, an 88-43 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Why was Beard arrested?
Austin police spokesman Brandon Jones said Beard is accused of choking a person at a home in West Austin. Officers responded to a 911 “disturbance-urgent” call at 2:07 a.m. CT on Monday.
Beard was booked into jail at 4:18 a.m. CT on Monday, according to the Travis County sheriff’s office jail records. Beard faces a third-degree felony charge of assault on a family/household member-impede breath circulation. Beard was released from jail Monday afternoon after posting bail, which was set at $10,000.
Is Beard still Texas’ coach?
Not currently. Beard was suspended without pay “until further notice,” the school said. Associate head coach Rodney Terry will serve as Texas’ head coach for Monday’s game.
Terry previously was a head coach at UTEP (2018-21) and Fresno State (201118). Beard’s staff also includes assistant coaches Brandon Chappell and Bob Donewald Jr. Chris Ogden, the team’s managing director, was head coach at UT-Arlington from 2018-21.
About Beard’s coaching contract
When he was hired at Texas, Beard received a seven-year contract with an annual salary of $5 million.
A clause in the coach’s contract allows the university to terminate or suspend Beard with cause if “any conduct (a) that the University administration reasonably determines is clearly unbecoming to a Head Coach and reflects poorly on the University, the Program, or The University of Texas System; or (b) resulting in a criminal charge being brought against Head Coach involving a felony, or any crime involving theft, dishonesty, or moral turpitude.” This is a standard clause in coaching contracts at the university.