WATCH: Chris Beard publicly addresses domestic assault case for first time as Ole Miss head coach

New Ole Miss coach Chris Beard took the stage in Oxford and had a chance to speak his piece on the new job he’s obtained.

Naturally there were some questions about what ultimately led to the end of his previous stint, as the head coach of the Texas basketball program. Beard was arrested in December for felony domestic assault with strangulation and was promptly suspended by Texas, but the district attorney’s office dropped the case “after careful and thorough review of the evidence, recent public statements, and considering Ms. (Randi) Trew’s wishes.”

Beard was up front about not wishing to discuss details of what happened.

Chris Beard declines to talk about specifics of the night he was arrested pic.twitter.com/0vUFQBSNx1

— Travis Recek (@TravisRecek) March 14, 2023

“Very respectfully, Randi and I have agreed not to talk about the details of not only that night but kind of the nights that we went through this, the process,” Beard said. “But what I can tell you is much of what’s been reported was not accurate, and that’s been proven with not only the case not only being dismissed, charges dropped, but also with Randi’s statement on Dec. 23.

“So I think that statement spoke for itself, it’s factual. But I respect the question and I understand the question.”

As a follow-up, Beard was asked about the reported injuries from the police report and whether he had anything to do with those injuries occurring.

Once again, Chris Beard opted to steer clear of discussing particulars.

“Again, certainly not trying to avoid the question, but I’ll be really clear here that Randi and I respectfully have agreed not to comment on the details,” Beard said. “What I’ll last give, again, is there is a timeframe of what was reported and what was proven factual and non-factual, other statements were made, and ultimately the charges were dismissed.”

The Ole Miss basketball job came open when the program fired former coach Kermit Davis in the middle of his fifth season.

Davis had put together a 74-79 overall record with the program, but only his inaugural team managed to reach the NCAA Tournament. Davis has been classy about his departure, tweeting the program congratulations after one SEC Tournament win.

“My family and I are extremely thankful for the opportunity to lead the Ole Miss men’s basketball program the past five years,” Davis said in a press release after his firing. “We appreciate Chancellor Boyce, Keith Carter, the staff and players for their support and work ethic on behalf of our program, and I wish Ole Miss the best going forward. Oxford is a special place to live and work.”