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The Texas men’s basketball coach was arrested around 4 a.m.
Texas Longhorns men’s basketball head coach Chris Beard was arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning and charged with third degree assault on a family member, according to multiple outlets. Police responded to a “disturbance-urgent” call around 2 a.m. and booked Beard just after 4 a.m. Beard allegedly strangled a person in the Austin neighborhood of Tarrytown.
Beard is facing a third degree felony charge, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Here’s the latest, from The Athletic:
Beard’s bond was set at $10,000 during a hearing Monday, per the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. An additional condition of the bond requires Beard to stay 200 yards away from the victim and from his house as the case is pending. There is also a protection order in place, meaning Beard cannot communicate in a threatening way with the victim through Feb. 10, 2023.
Details of the case are still emerging, but we’ll provide the latest updates here:
Magistrate follows up by saying the 200 yards “stay away” is in place until case is resolved. Beard is allowed to communicate w/ alleged victim, but judge repeats he’s not allowed to do so in any type of threatening or intimidating manner.
Beard expected to be released today.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) December 12, 2022
Just got off phone w Travis County Sheriff office. Chris Beard is still in jail and will remain until probable cause affidavit received. Has to appear before judge within 24 hours of arrest, so can be up until 4am. Also Texas has a game tonight.
— Dana O’Neil (@DanaONeilWriter) December 12, 2022
UPDATE: As of 9 a.m., Beard remains in the Travis County Jail in downtown Austin. He has not yet seen a judge for the setting of a bond. The charge he faces is a third degree felony, for which a person faces up to 10 years in prison. https://t.co/bpcWvNBxAB
— Tony Plohetski (@tplohetski) December 12, 2022
Austin Police responded to a “disturbance hot shot,” per spokesperson, at 12:15 a.m. to the 1900 block of Vista Lane.
Beard was charged in the 4 a.m. hour.
Texas AD Chris Del Conte has not yet responded to CBS Sports’ request for comment.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) December 12, 2022
UPDATE: Austin police spokesman Brandon Jones says it is alleged that Beard strangled a person at a home in Tarrytown. Officers responded to a 911 “disturbance-urgent” call at 2:07 a.m. Monday. https://t.co/sS27S8w8u6
— Tony Plohetski (@tplohetski) December 12, 2022
BREAKING: @TexasMBB head coach Chris Beard has been arrested for third degree felony assault on a family member/impeding breadth circulation. More to come.
— Dana O’Neil (@DanaONeilWriter) December 12, 2022
Texas has issued the following statement:
Statement from Texas: “The University is aware of the situation regarding Chris Beard. We are continuing to gather information and monitoring the legal process.”
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) December 12, 2022
Texas is scheduled to play Rice at home on Monday night.
Texas is ranked No. 2 in the polls after a 7-1 start. Beard is in his second season as head coach of the Longhorns after leaving Texas Tech to come to Austin by signing a six-year contract in April, 2019. Beard is one of the highest paid coaches in the country.
Here’s what Beard’s contract says about criminal charges:
The Longhorns picked up their first loss of the season last Tuesday against Illinois in a game at Madison Square Garden.
We’ll update this story as it develops.
