Ex-Texas basketball HC Chris Beard’s charges dropped, UT declines to comment

Multiple reports confirmed on Feb. 15 that the charges brought against the former Texas basketball head coach Chris Beard on Dec. 12 for domestic violence were dropped by the Travis County district attorney. The district attorney’s office reportedly filed a motion to dismiss the case on Wednesday.

The office of the Travis County district attorney Jose Garza announced in a statement on Feb. 15 that reportedly read “After a careful and thorough review of the evidence, recent public statements, and considering Ms. Trew’s wishes, our office has determined that the felony offense cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt”.

Beard’s lawyer, Perry Minton, responded to Garza’s office dropping the charges against his client (per the Austin American-Statesman and ESPN).

"“Everyone knows that Coach Beard has maintained his absolute innocence since the moment he was arrested,” said Perry Minton, Beard’s attorney. “Additionally, this district attorney has a well-earned reputation for being very tough regarding domestic violence cases. The fact that Mr. Garza’s review resulted in this determination so quickly says a lot. We are very pleased.”"

Beard was originally arrested on the alleged domestic violence charges in Travis County on Dec. 12. Soon after the arrest, Beard was placed on unpaid leave by the University of Texas-Austin.

Former Texas basketball head coach Chris Beard has charges dropped by the Travis County district attorney

What led to the arrest was Beard’s fiancee Randi Trew alleging that he strangled her. However, Trew would later release a statement saying that Beard acted in self-defense and that “she never wanted him prosecuted”.

A little less than one month following Beard’s arrest, on Jan. 5, Texas fired Beard.

And in the aftermath of all these events, it was reported by ESPN that a UT spokesman declined to comment on the matter on Feb. 15.

Moreover, following the firing of Beard last month, acting head coach Rodney Terry officially took over as the interim for the rest of the 2022-23 season. Terry has led the Longhorns to a record of 13-5 since taking over as the acting head coach on Dec. 12, 2022.

Beard coached the Longhorns for a little more than one season after he was hired away from the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the spring of 2021. He posted a record of 29-13 (.690 winning percentage) during his two seasons at Texas.