Texas Longhorns head coach Chris Beard Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Texas men's basketball coach Chris Beard suspended without pay

It was reported early on Monday morning that Texas men's basketball coach Chris Beard had been arrested for a charge of an alleged "assault on a family or household member in which their breath was impeded."

As the No. 7 Longhorns prepare to take on the Rice Owls on the basketball court just hours after the arrest, the University is now announcing that Beard will be suspended without pay.

Beard was arrested and booked at 4:18 am CDT after officers were dispatched to the 1900 block of Vista Lane early Monday morning. He was released on bail from Travis County jail Monday afternoon and his attorney has stated that his client "is 100% innocent of these charges."

"He should never have been arrested," attorney Perry Minton said via ESPN. "The complainant wants him released immediately and all charges dismissed. It is truly inconceivable."

Texas had officially acknowledged Beard's arrest earlier in the morning but had said it was in the information-gathering stage and waiting for the legal process to play out. The University has apparently now seen enough to issue a suspension at this point.

“The University takes matters of interpersonal violence involving members of its community seriously,” Texas said in a statement. “Given the information available, The University has suspended Chris Beard from his position as head coach of Men’s Basketball and will withhold his pay until further notice.”

Assistant coach Rodney Terry will coach the Longhorns in Beard's absense. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Pacers ride historic shooting performance to Game 7 blowout of Knicks
Timberwolves mount incredible second-half comeback to stun Nuggets in Game 7
Xander Schauffele proves doubters wrong with historic win at 2024 PGA Championship
Four things we learned from Joey Logano's All-Star Race win at North Wilkesboro
Phil Foden lifts Manchester City to fourth consecutive English Premier League title
Watch: Aaron Judge blasts 13th home run in Yankees' seventh straight win
Canucks won't have linchpin forward for Game 7 vs. Oilers
Jags reportedly mulling extension for Trevor Lawrence, but is that the right choice?
Gordon Hayward calls role with Thunder 'frustrating'
Mets reliever Edwin Diaz showing short shelf life of closers
Three offseason moves the 49ers must make
Watch: NASCAR drivers exchange punches after crash in All-Star Race
Knicks star offers passionate defense of HC Tom Thibodeau after Game 7 loss
Knicks' Jalen Brunson suffers serious injury in Game 7 vs. Pacers
Dodgers add recently acquired left-hander to active roster
Report: 2023 No. 7 pick expected to terminate KHL contract, join Flyers
Mavericks advance to Western Conference Finals aided by controversial call late
Connor McDavid, Oilers hammer Canucks to force Game 7
Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk epic increases excitement for potential rematch
Seize the Grey wins in muddy Preakness

Want more Longhorns news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.