Texas announces suspension for Chris Beard, names acting head coach

The University of Texas has suspended men’s basketball coach Chris Beard without pay until further notice following his arrest Monday morning. Rodney Terry will serve as the acting coach for the Longhorns’ game Monday night against Rice.

“The University takes matters of interpersonal violence involving members of its community seriously,” assistant athletic director Scott McConnell released in a 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. Associate head coach Rodney Terry will serve as the acting head coach for tonight’s game against Rice.”

 

Beard was arrested by police in Austin and was booked at 4:18 a.m. CDT on a third-degree charge of “assault of a family/household member, impede breath circulation,” or strangulation. He was released from the Travis County jail after posting a cash bond set at $10,000.

In an interview with Austin American-Statesman, Beard’s lawyer, Perry Minton, said that his client “is 100% innocent of these charges.” A court date has not been set as of this time.

Beard is currently in his 2nd season with the Longhorns after a successful 5-year run at Texas Tech. Texas currently is ranked No. 2 overall in the latest AP Poll, and is off to its best start in years with a 7-1 record.