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The University of Texas men’s basketball team’s head coach, Chris Beard, was taken into custody early on Monday and charged with third-degree assault on a family member, according to the Daily Wire.
In response to a “disturbance hot shot,” which the department defines as incidents that “are in progress and are an immediate threat to life and/or public safety (i.e. shootings, stabbings, rapes, riots),” Beard, 49, was reportedly detained.
The University of Texas responded to the news in a brief statement.
“The University is aware of the situation regarding Chris Beard,” the statement said. “We are continuing to gather information and monitoring the legal process.”
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
In a succinct statement, the University of Texas reacted to the news.
The statement said, “The University is aware of the situation regarding Chris Beard.”
“We are continuing to gather information and monitoring the legal process.”
Texas has released the following statement on Chris Beard. pic.twitter.com/nxa3TwDPxH
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) December 12, 2022
Beard has been the team’s head coach for the past two years after agreeing to a seven-year deal that will pay him $5 million annually.
According to The Austin American-Statesman, a provision in his contract gives the school the right to suspend or dismiss him if “any conduct (a) that the University administration reasonably determines is clearly unbecoming to a Head Coach and reflects poorly on the University, the Program, or The University of Texas System; or (b) resulting in a criminal charge being brought against Head Coach involving a felony, or any crime involving theft, dishonesty, or moral turpitude.”