Texas Fans Chant 'Don't Hit Women' at Former Coach Chris Beard

Beard's return to Austin as Ole Miss coach met with hostile reception from Longhorns crowd

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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In a heated SEC matchup between Texas and Ole Miss, former Longhorns head coach Chris Beard faced a hostile reception from the Texas crowd. Fans directed chants of "Don't hit women" at Beard, who was previously arrested on a felony charge for allegedly assaulting his fiancée, though the charges were later dropped.

Why it matters

Beard's past legal issues and firing from Texas have made him a controversial figure, and the crowd's reaction highlights the ongoing scrutiny and criticism he faces. The incident also speaks to broader conversations around domestic violence in sports and how universities and fans respond to such allegations.

The details

Beard previously served as Texas' head coach from 2021-2023, leading the team to an NCAA Tournament appearance in his first season. However, he was fired eight games into the 2022-23 season after being arrested on a third-degree felony charge for strangulation, with reports that he had assaulted his fiancée. While the charges were later dropped and Beard was never convicted, the incident resulted in his dismissal from Texas.

  • On February 7, 2026, Chris Beard returned to Austin as the head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels to face his former team, the Texas Longhorns.

The players

Chris Beard

The former head coach of the Texas Longhorns, who was fired in 2023 after being arrested on a felony charge for allegedly assaulting his fiancée, though the charges were later dropped.

Sean Miller

The current head coach of the Texas Longhorns, who took over the program after Beard's dismissal.

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What they’re saying

“No coaching speak, but I didn't really notice (the crowd) today. I really didn't notice it. I thought it was a great home crowd for basketball on a Saturday in Austin, Texas. Did hear a few things from the student section while entering the floor and leaving the floor.”

— Chris Beard, Head Coach, Ole Miss Rebels (on3.com)

What’s next

The outcome of the game, with Texas defeating Ole Miss 79-68, is the main immediate next step. However, the broader implications of Beard's return to Austin and the crowd's reaction are likely to continue being discussed in the sports media and among fans.

The takeaway

The hostile reception Chris Beard received from Texas fans highlights the ongoing scrutiny and criticism he faces due to his past legal issues, even though the charges were ultimately dropped. This incident reflects the complex and sensitive nature of domestic violence allegations in the world of college sports, and the challenges coaches can face in rebuilding their reputations after such incidents.