Texas Basketball: Head coach Chris Beard arrested on assault charges
According to reports from Tony Plohetski of the Austin American-Statesman and Matt Norlander of CBS Sports on Dec. 12, Texas basketball head coach Chris Beard was arrested on assault charges by Austin police. Plohetski reported on the morning of Dec. 12 that an Austin police spokesman said “it is alleged that Beard strangled a person at a home in Tarrytown”.
Tarrytown is a neighborhood in Austin, TX.
Officers reportedly “responded to a 911 disturbance-urgent call at 2:07 a.m.” on Dec. 12.
Norlander also reported on the morning of Dec. 12 that “Beard was booked on third-degree assault against a family member”.
Texas basketball head coach Chris Beard reportedly arrested on assault charges
According to a report from The Athletic on Dec. 12, the University of Texas issued this statement following the news of Beard’s arrest.
"“The University is aware of the situation regarding Chris Beard. We are continuing to gather information and monitoring the legal process.”"
A report from Plohetski and Danny Davis of the Austin American-Statesman further detailed information from Beard’s arrest on Dec. 12.
"Beard was booked into jail at 4:18 a.m. Monday, according to the Travis County sheriff’s office jail records. Beard, 49, faces a third-degree felony charge of assault on a family/household member-impede breath circulation."
We will continue to monitor the details of the charges and arrest for any updates that come about.
Beard is currently in his second season as Texas’ head coach. Through the first eight games of the 2022-23 season, the Longhorns hold a record of 7-1 (0-0 Big 12), with a No. 2 ranking in the major polls.
The No. 2 ranking is Texas’ highest in the AP Poll since the 2009-10 season.
Prior to taking the head coaching job with Texas during the 2021 offseason, Beard held the same position with the Texas Tech Red Raiders for five seasons and Arkansas-Little Rock for one season. He posted a record of 112-55 (.671 winning percentage) at Texas Tech and a record of 30-5 (.857 winning percentage) at Arkansas-Little Rock.
In the last two seasons as the Longhorns’ head coach, Beard registered a record of 29-13 (.690 winning percentage). Last season, Beard led Texas to an appearance in the NCAA Tournament as a seven-seed and made it to the Round of 32 before falling short of the three-seed Purdue Boilermakers.
Texas is scheduled to face the Rice Owls on Dec. 12 at home at the Moody Center in Austin, with the tip-off time set for 7 p.m. CT.