Former Texas Longhorns head basketball coach Chris Beard has been fired following allegations of domestic violence against a family member in December. A number of reliable sources confirm that Beard was fired for cause. The state of Texas has officially announced Beard’s dismissal.
Beard is accused of assaulting his fiancee, which is a serious felony in the United States. Since Beard’s arrest, he had been placed on administrative leave without pay. It was Beard’s second year leading Texas as their head coach. The Longhorns have started the season 12-1 and are presently rated No. 6 in the AP Poll.
Since the allegations surfaced on December 12, Beard has stepped down as coach. Since Beard has been absent from the team, Texas has been coached by Rodney Terry in an interim capacity. For the rest of the season, Texas will still have Terry as their head coach.
After Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte confirmed Beard’s dismissal, he released the following statement. When Beard first signed his seven-year deal with Texas, the contract included a condition that allowed the state to terminate his employment if he was ever convicted of a felony.
Beard faces a maximum of 10 years in jail if convicted on the family violence charge alleging strangulation or suffocation. Beard’s fiancee told authorities at first that the coach strangled and bit her, but she later disputed that this was the case.
As reported by the Associated Press:
Beard’s fiancée, Randi Trew, told officers he choked her from behind, bit her and hit her when the two got in an argument. Beard’s attorney has said the coach is innocent.
Beard will receive no compensation from the $35 million contract he originally signed. After Beard’s arrest, the university’s attorney explained the school’s ability to terminate Beard’s employment for reason regardless of whether or not he was convicted.
Beard’s attorneys are apparently “shocked” by the university’s decision to fire him, but they have no need to be. Allegedly, Beard was given the choice between resigning and being fired. When new information becomes available, we will post it here.
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