Texas Basketball: Social media reacts to the firing of Chris Beard
By Shane Black
The college basketball world was turned on its head Thursday afternoon as the University of Texas released a statement announcing the firing of Texas basketball coach, Chris Beard.
The report of the firing was also confirmed by ESPN on Jan. 5.
Beard was indefinitely suspended on Dec. 12 after he was arrested on an alleged felony domestic violence family charge. Since then, Athletic Director Chris Del Conte and University President Jay Hartzel have kept all details about their internal investigation regarding Beard close to the vest.
Beard had five years left on a seven-year, $35 million guaranteed deal. However, because he was fired for cause, the University will not have to pay out the $25+ million he is still owed.
Rodney Terry has been the interim head coach since Beard was initially suspended. The Horns hold a 5-1 record with Terry at the helm but are coming off one of the worst defensive performances in school history on Tuesday night.
Statement from University of Texas Vice President and Athletics Director Chris Del Conte on termination of Chris Beard as Texas basketball’s head coach: pic.twitter.com/JzDUNmYPmd
— Will Baizer (@WillBaizer) January 5, 2023
Here is how social media reacted to the news of Texas basketball letting go of Chris Beard on Thursday afternoon.
Since the original story broke, there was never a reason to believe this would end any other way. https://t.co/tvH1c2jniV
— Shane Black (@shaneblack_) January 5, 2023
Source tells @CBSSports the decision to fire Chris Beard was not athletic director Chris del Conte's doing. The decision was made above his head.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) January 5, 2023
Chris Beard is a really good coach so this sucks, but:
— Dillon Cheverere (@DCheverere) January 5, 2023
1. It’s 100% the right call
2. Even if partially guilty, he can’t coach student athletes and let a dark cloud follow the program around
3. Texas is set up for success with the right hire
4. I feel for the players https://t.co/pD0tvZnmUQ
I trust CDC. But this job was meant for Beard, you can argue it’s gonna be hard to find someone who cares about Texas like beard did. Which is a weird thing to argue with what he did and the kind of person he is.
— Rico (@eh_____rico) January 5, 2023
NEW: An attorney for Chris Beard has sent a two-page letter to UT saying that he is “shocked” by the decision after “positive developments that firmly support Coach Beard’s declaration that he is innocent.” He said Beard did not violate his UT contract. https://t.co/nuQKZUIdTx
— Tony Plohetski (@tplohetski) January 5, 2023
As released by Texas, here is the full exchange between Chris Beard's legal team and the university: pic.twitter.com/09niU2ZBb7
— Danny Davis (@_dannydavis) January 5, 2023