Statement from University of Texas Vice President and Athletics Director Chris Del Conte

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.

We thank Coach Rodney Terry for his exemplary leadership both on and off the court at a time when our team needed it most. We are grateful he will remain the acting head coach for the remainder 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.

WHAT LED TO THIS FIRING

University of Texas has fired men’s basketball coach Chris Beard, who faces a felony domestic family violence charge stemming from a December 12, 2022 incident involving his fiancée, with the school telling his attorney on Thursday that that Beard engaged in unacceptable behavior which makes him “unfit” to hold the position.

The 49-year-old Beard, who cause a stir when he left rival Texas Tech after 6 years for the job in Austin, had five years left on a seven-year guaranteed contract that included a provision he could be fired for just cause for being charged with a felony or committed any other behavior unbecoming of his position or and if it reflected poorly on the university.

The charge of assault by strangulation/suffocation family violence carries a possible prison sentence of two to 10 years if convicted. Randi Trew, his fiancee, changed her statement. First she said Beard strangled and bit her. But later said he did not choke her.

INFORMATION FROM UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS ATHLETICS, RADIO, WIRE AND TV REPORTS