University of Texas men’s basketball coach Chris Beard was arrested early Monday morning after he he allegedly committed an assault on one of his family/household members, according to reports.
Why Was Texas Men’s Basketball Coach Chris Beard Arrested?
According to records, Beard was booked in Travis County, Texas, on Monday morning on a charge of felony “assault on family/household member impede breath circulation,” or choking. Bond has been set at $10,000.
UT released a brief statement on the arrest saying, “the university is aware of the situation regarding Chris Beard. We are continuing to gather information and monitoring the legal process.”
Beard’s attorney Perry Minton told the Austin American-Statesman his client never should have been arrested.
“Coach Beard is 100% innocent of these charges. He should never have been arrested. The complainant wants him released immediately and all charges dismissed. t is truly inconceivable.”
Just because the complainant wants Beard released immediately doesn’t mean he shouldn’t have been arrested. Whomever the complainant is could have felt they were in enough danger to dial 911 and have police sent to the residence in Austin. Once they arrived on the scene the police made the determination that Beard should be arrested.
In college towns like Austin, Texas the head coach of the school’s football and/or basketball program are usually given the benefit of the doubt by police. If they made the arrest, it was likely warranted.
Who Will Coach Texas In Beard’s Absence?
According to TMZ, a woman made the 911 call and said “she had been assaulted and strangled” by Beard.
As of the writing of this story Beard is still being held. The seventh-ranked Longhorns are hosting Rice Monday night at Moody Center and according to reports, the clear interim option is assistant head coach Rodney Terry.
UT coaching contracts have standard morality clauses, and the University can fire or suspend Beard according to reports.
“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.”
Will Texas Men’s BB Coach Chris Beard Be Fired?
UT will likely let the judicial process play out before making any decisions. If as Beard’s lawyer says, the complainant wants the charges dismissed this could go away. As it stands now charges have been brought against Beard so he could be terminated.
But if the charges are dismissed, it would be easier for UT to retain Beard under the basis that the charges were dropped, and this was a private matter that was escalated for no reason.
UT would probably like the latter to be the case as the team is 7-1 and looking are playing well to begin the season. The Longhorns have posted wins over Gonzaga and Creighton so far this season and are playing stout defense. Their only loss was to 17th-ranked Illinois in overtime of the Jimmy V Classic.
The Longhorns should be able to weather the uncertainty surrounding Beard as they play their next four games at home before beginning conference play on the road at Oklahoma on New Year’s Eve.
