The University of Texas announced Thursday afternoon that they fired men’s basketball coach Chris Beard after he was arrested last month on a domestic violence charge.
Beard, 49, was arrested on December 12 after the Austin Police Department reportedly responded to a “disturbance hot shot,” which the department says are incidents 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 issues, and during a heated conversation he “snapped” and “became super violent,” according to Beard’s fiancée.
Longhorns athletic director Chris Del Conte said in a statement that it was “a difficult situation that we’ve been diligently working through” and that the school ultimately decided to “terminate him effective immediately.”
The university sent the following letter to Beard:
Dear Chris Beard: The University of Texas at Austin is terminating your employment, effective January 5, 2023, pursuant to Section 7(A)(12) of your employment contract, Suspension or Termination by the University for Cause. This action also effects immediate termination of the Baseline Group LLC agreement of July 12, 2021.
As noted in your employment contract, all obligations of the University to make further payment or provide any other consideration will cease as of January 5, 2023.
Please speak with Rianne Brashears in Athletics Human Resources … for separation processing, including collecting your personal belongings and returning any University-issued property.
The University of Texas announces that it has fired men’s basketball coach Chris Beard. #HookEm pic.twitter.com/b3Od6kxfIU
— Danny Davis (@_dannydavis) January 5, 2023
Beard responded to the firing in a statement given through his attorney.
“Chris Beard is crushed at the news he will not be couching [sic] at the University of Texas,” attorney Perry Minton said. “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 statement 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 statement concluded. “The University has violated their agreement with the coach and we are devastated.”
Chris Beard’s attorney says he is crushed pic.twitter.com/SbMrMlUtxK
— Chris Walker (@WalkerATX) January 5, 2023
A couple of weeks after the arrest, Trew said that Beard did not strangle her, she did not want him to be arrested, and that 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 said in the statement. “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 statement 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.”