UPDATE
2:58 PM PT — Chris Beard‘s attorney, Perry Minton, released a statement on the decision … saying his client is “crushed at the news” of his termination.
UPDATE
Minton says the university promised to do a thorough investigation into the allegations … but did not speak with Beard, nor did they interview his fiancée.
UPDATE
The attorney believes the charges against Beard will be declined … and claims Texas made its decision “based on Twitter feeds and editorials — and not the facts concerning a truly innocent man.”
Chris Beard is no longer the head coach of the Texas Longhorns basketball team — the university just announced he has been fired from his position after his felony domestic violence arrest last month.
The team made the move official just minutes ago … with athletic director Chris Del Conte saying, “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.”
Del Conte acknowledged Rodney Terry for filling in as interim coach during Beard’s suspension … promoting him to acting head coach for the rest of the 2022-23 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,” Del Conte added.
As we previously reported, Beard was arrested on December 12 … after he was accused of strangling, throwing and biting his fiancée in their home. He was immediately suspended without pay.
The woman, Randi Trew, later apologized for her accusations … saying Beard did not strangle her. She also did not refute Beard’s claims that his actions were in self-defense.
“I do not believe Chris was trying to intentionally harm me in any way. It was never my intent to have him arrested or prosecuted,” Trew said last month.
Beard — a UT alum, who joined the program in 2021 — went 34-14 in 48 games at Texas … and is 176-74 overall.
Beard is still facing the criminal charge … and has a court date later this month.
Originally Published — 12:03 PM