AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas has decided to fire men's head basketball coach Chris Beard from his position following his arrest for assault on a family member in Dec. 2022
According to Travis County judicial records, Christopher (Chris) Michael Beard, 49, was taken into custody around 4:20 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 12, for assault on a family member - impeding breath circulation.
University of Texas Director of Athletics Chris Del Conte released a statement on the athletics website Thursday regarding Beard's termination:
"The University of Texas has parted ways with Chris Beard. This has been a difficult situation that we've been diligently working through. Today I informed Mr. Beard of our decision to terminate him effective immediately."
The university also thanked Associate Head Coach Rodney Terry for his leadership and announced he will remain in the position of acting head coach for the rest of the season.
"We are proud of our student-athletes, coaches and staff, who throughout this difficult time have continued to make us proud to be Longhorns," Del Conte said.
According to a press release from the Austin Police Department, officers were called to a home in the 1900 block of Vista Ln. around 12:15 a.m., on reports of a disturbance.
"The caller reported the disturbance was no longer ongoing and one of the individuals had left the house," the press release stated.
When police arrived on scene, they met with a woman who said she had been assaulted and strangled by Beard.
Beard was booked into the Travis County Jail on the third-degree felony charge with bond set at $10,000. He has since been released from the jail.
The APD is asking anyone with any information on this case to call the department at 512-974-TIPS.
Beard, a Texas grad, was named the Longhorns' 25th head men's basketball coach on April 2, 2021.
CBS19 will continue to update this article as more information becomes available.