Texas Longhorns Men's Basketball Coach Chris Beard Suspended After Arrest on Assault Charge for Alleged Strangulation
Chris Beard, the Texas Longhorns men's basketball head coach, was arrested early Monday morning on a felony family violence charge following a woman's report that he had choked and bitten her. Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Chris Beard, the Texas Longhorns men's basketball head coach, was arrested by police early Monday morning on a felony family violence charge following a woman's report that he had choked and bitten her.

Beard led Texas Tech to the 2019 NCAA championship game before being hired by the University of Texas Longhorns, hoping he will do the same to his alma mater.

According to ESPN, Beard is on unpaid leave from the company's administration "until further notice." On Monday, the seventh-ranked Longhorns beat the eighth-ranked Rice Owls 87-81 in overtime. Associate head coach Rodney Terry served as the acting head coach for the Longhorns.

Beard was booked into jail at 4:18 a.m. on a charge of assault on a family or household member in which the victim's breath was impeded. Texas law classifies it as a third-degree felony, carrying a sentence of two to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Texas Longhorns Men's Basketball Coach Chris Beard Attorney Claims He is Innocent

Brandon Jones, a spokesman for the Austin police department, said Chris Beard is accused of choking a person at home in the Tarrytown section of West Austin. Police officers reportedly responded to a 911 "disturbance-urgent" call at around 12:15 a.m. Monday.

Perry Minton, Beard's attorney, told the Austin American-Statesman that the coach is innocent and should never have been arrested. He added: The complainant wants him released immediately and all charges dismissed. It is truly inconceivable."

The University of Texas issued a brief statement in the morning and said: "The university is aware of the situation regarding Chris Beard. We are continuing to gather information and monitoring the legal process."

Texas Longhorns Men's Basketball Coach Chris Beard Assault Victim's Statement

Chris Beard, no longer in police custody, reportedly appeared in Austin Municipal Court on Monday afternoon, where a magistrate judge set bond at $10,000.

Beard was issued a protective order to prevent him from carrying a firearm or ammunition and appearing within 200 yards of the woman and of the home where the reported disturbance occurred. The protective order will be active until at least February 10, 2023.

The order will also prevent Beard from harassing and speaking to the complainant in a threatening manner. According to the victim, Beard choked her, threw her off the bed, bit her, bruised her leg, threw her around, and went "nuts."

In the affidavit, she also said Beard put his one arm around her neck while he was behind her and choked her for five seconds, which impeded her breathing. She also told police that she "just did not feel safe," CBS Sports reported.

Beard was questioned on the spot by the police and admitted that he had recordings of the incident, which he said would show that he was not the primary aggressor. However, police noted that Beard was not willing to share the recordings.

According to the affidavit, these injuries were visible on the woman: a bite mark to the right forearm, abrasions to the right eyebrow and left leg from the knee to the foot, and a cut to the left thumb with dried blood.

The victim also complained of scratches on her back and right eye, a bite mark on her right arm, a cut to her left hand, and an abrasion and bruises to her left leg.

According to the affidavit, Chris Beard and the woman had been together for six years and engaged for three years. They reside in the same house.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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