Assault Charge Against Ex-Texas Basketball Coach Chris Beard Dropped

Editors’ note: This story contains accounts of domestic violence. If you or someone you know is a survivor of domestic abuse, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or at https://www.thehotline.org/

Former Texas men’s basketball coach Chris Beard had his domestic violence charge dropped on Wednesday, Travis County district attorney Jose Garza announced.

“After a careful and thorough review of the evidence, recent public statements, and considering [Beard’s fiancee] Ms. [Randi] Trew’s wishes, our office has determined that the felony offense cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt,” Garza said, via KXAN-TV.

Beard was arrested on Dec. 12 and charged with third-degree felony assault on a family/household member around 5 a.m. CT that day. The alleged family member was Beard’s fiancee, Randi Trew. She later said there was no assault and that Beard was just using “self-defense” in a “physical struggle” between the couple.

Myron Medcalf and Jeff Borzello of ESPN reported at the time that Austin police responded to a “disturbance hotshot” call shortly after midnight. Disturbance hotshot incidents are “incidents in progress that are an immediate threat to life and/or public safety.” Beard’s felony charge included “impeding breath circulation.”

Beard was first suspended indefinitely from his job by the school before officially being fired on Jan. 5. 

In the meantime, associate head coach Rodney Terry took over as the Longhorns’ interim coach. Texas is currently ranked No. 6 in the AP rankings with a 20–6 record.