Chris Beard, the head coach of the University of Texas men’s basketball team, was arrested during the early morning hours on Monday and charged with third-degree assault on a family member.
Beard, 49, was arrested after Austin Police 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).”
Austin Police responded to a "disturbance hot shot," per spokesperson, at 12:15 a.m. to the 1900 block of Vista Lane.
Beard was charged in the 4 a.m. hour.
Texas AD Chris Del Conte has not yet responded to CBS Sports' request for comment.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) December 12, 2022
The University of Texas responded to the news in a brief statement.
“The University is aware of the situation regarding Chris Beard,” the statement said. “We are continuing to gather information and monitoring the legal process.”
Texas has released the following statement on Chris Beard. pic.twitter.com/nxa3TwDPxH
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) December 12, 2022
Beard has been the head coach of the team for two years now since signing a seven-year contract that pays him $5 million per year.
The Austin American-Statesman reported that a clause in his contract allows to the school to suspend or terminate him if “any conduct (a) that the University administration reasonably determines is clearly unbecoming to a Head Coach and reflects poorly on the University, the Program, or The University of Texas System; or (b) resulting in a criminal charge being brought against Head Coach involving a felony, or any crime involving theft, dishonesty, or moral turpitude.”
This is a breaking news story; refresh the page for updates.