Texas Longhorns Fire Chris Beard After Felony Domestic Violence Arrest

The University of Texas revealed Thursday afternoon that they fired males’s basketball coach Chris Beard after he was jailed last month on a domestic violence charge.

Beard, 49, was jailed on December 12 after the Austin Authorities Department supposedly reacted to a “disturbance hot shot,” which the department states are occurrences that “are in progress and are an immediate threat to life and/or public safety (i.e. shootings, stabbings, rapes, riots).” The arrest affidavit said that Beard and his fiancée Randi Trew were having relationship concerns, and throughout a heated discussion he “snapped” and “became super violent,” according to Beard’s fiancée.

Longhorns athletic director Chris Del Conte stated in a declaration that it was “a difficult situation that we’ve been diligently working through” which the school eventually chose to “terminate him effective immediately.”

The university sent out the list below letter to Beard:

Dear Chris Beard: The University of Texas at Austin is ending your work, efficient January 5, 2023, pursuant to Area 7( A)( 12) of your employment agreement, Suspension or Termination by the University for Cause. This action likewise impacts instant termination of the Standard Group LLC contract of July 12, 2021.

As kept in mind in your employment agreement, all responsibilities of the University to make more payment or supply any other factor to consider will stop since January 5, 2023.

Please talk with Rianne Brashears in Sports Human Being Resources … for separation processing, consisting of gathering your individual possessions and returning any University-issued home.

The University of Texas reveals that it has actually fired males’s basketball coach Chris Beard. #HookEm pic.twitter.com/b3Od6kxfIU

— Danny Davis (@_dannydavis) January 5, 2023

Beard reacted to the shooting in a declaration provided through his lawyer.

“Chris Beard is crushed at the news he will not be couching [sic] at the University of Texas,” lawyer Perry Minton stated. “At the outset of Coach Beard’s suspension, The University promised they would conduct an independent investigation surrounding the allegations and make a decision regarding his employment only after they had done so.”

“They proceeded to terminate Coach Beard without asking a single question of him or his fiancé,” the declaration continued. “Since the arrest, there have only been positive developments clearly demonstrating his innocence. Additionally, it is my opinion shared by others that any potential charges against Coach Beard will be declined very soon. This is in addition to the statements made by his fiancé that emphatically state that the original reports were inaccurate.”

“I am concerned that the University of Texas has made a terrible decision against the interest of the University, based on Twitter feeds and editorials – and not the facts concerning a truly innocent man,” the declaration concluded. “The University has violated their agreement with the coach and we are devastated.”

Chris Beard’s lawyer states he is crushed pic.twitter.com/SbMrMlUtxK

— Chris Walker (@WalkerATX) January 5, 2023

A number of weeks after the arrest, Trew said that Beard did not strangle her, she did not desire him to be jailed, which he was acting in self-defense.

“Chris and I are deeply saddened that we have brought negative attention upon our family, friends, and the University of Texas, among others,” Trew stated in the declaration. “As Chris’ fiancée and biggest supporter, I apologize for the role I played in this unfortunate event. I realize that my frustration, when breaking his glasses, initiated a physical struggle between Chris and myself.”

“Chris did not strangle me, and I told that to law enforcement that evening,” the declaration continued. “Chris has stated that he was acting in self-defense, and I do not refute that. 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. We appreciate everyone’s support and prayers during this difficult time.”

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