Texas Fires Beard

01/06/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Texas Fires Head Basketball Coach Chris Beard After Felony Domestic Violence Charges

Changes are underway in Austin. The University of Texas has fired head basketball coach Chris Beard after he was suspended for his role in felony domestic violence charges on Dec. 12. Beard was reportedly charged with attacking his fiancee, Randi Trew, but Trew later withdrew her initial statements of the incident. The Longhorns placed Beard on a leave of absence, but the University decided to part ways with Beard on Thursday. The formal investigation into the incident is still ongoing, but Texas is moving on.

 

The Rise & Fall of Chris Beard

Could it be an abrupt end to Beard’s coaching days? The Longhorns coach made a quick ascent through college hoops after taking Arkansas Little-Rock and Texas Tech to four NCAA Tournaments in six years. He joined Texas in 2021 and immediately led UT to the NCAA Tournament before a 7-1 start this season. He was just 49 years old, and many expected Beard to be a force in college basketball for decades to come.

 

Interim head coach Rodney Terry has led the Longhorns to a 5-1 record since Beard’s absence, and he’ll lead UT for the rest of 2023.

 

Additional Storylines

Yahoo! Sports: Chris Beard Out as Head Coach of Texas After Domestic Violence

SI: After Chris Beard’s Firing, Who Might Texas Target in Coaching Search?

 

Photo: Porter Binks / Getty Images