The University of Texas has terminated Chris Beard, the embattled men’s basketball coach who is facing years behind bars.
According CBS News, the school announced the decision on Thursday, nearly a month after the 49-year-old was arrested for allegedly assaulting his fiancée. Shortly after his arrest, the school confirmed Beard had been suspended indefinitely without pay.
“The University takes matters of interpersonal violence involving members of its community seriously,” UT said at the time.
Beard’s arrest took place last month, amid Beard’s second season with the Longhorns. He reportedly had five years left on his $35 million contract, which included a clause that he could be fired if charged with a felony. A Texas spokesperson told CBS News that Beard was terminated for cause, and will not be entitled to buyout.
“The University of Texas has parted ways with Chris Beard,” Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte said in a statement. “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.”
In the early hours of Dec. 12, police responded to an emergency call at Beard’s Travis County home. His fiancée, Randi Trew, allegedly told officers she and Beard had gotten into an argument, which led to her being choked and bitten. According to the police report, Trew had multiple wounds on her body during her interview with authorities. She reportedly told Austin police Beard had strangled her “probably for like five seconds.” and that she “could not breathe.” The coach was ultimately arrested on a charge of assault by strangulation/suffocation family violence; however, 11 days later, Trew released a public statement claiming she initiated the struggle and that Beard never choked her.
“Chris did not strangle me, and I told that to law enforcement that evening,” she wrote. “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.”
Authorities have not dropped the assault charge, despite Trew’s statement. If convicted, the coach faces up to 10 years in prison. His next court hearing is scheduled for Jan. 18.
