University of Texas

University of Texas at Austin officially parts ways with head basketball coach Chris Beard

UT Austin announced on Thursday, January 5, that it had fired head basketball coach Chris Beard.

UT Austin/Facebook

The University of Texas at Austin announced Thursday that it has fired head men’s basketball coach Chris Beard.

"The University of Texas has parted ways with Chris Beard. This has been a difficult situation that we've been diligently working through. Today [January 5] I informed Mr. Beard of our decision to terminate him effective immediately," UT Vice President and Athletics Director Chris Del Conte said in a statement.

Del Conte also thanked Coach Rodney Terry for "his exemplary leadership both on and off the court at a time when our team needed it most," and said Terry will remain the acting head coach for the remainder of the season.

"We are proud of our student-athletes, coaches and staff, who throughout this difficult time have continued to make us proud to be Longhorns," Del Conte said.

Austin police arrested Beard last month. A police affidavit said that a woman to whom Beard is engaged told officers that he choked and bit her, among other forms of assault. Late last month, however, that woman, Randi Trew, released a statement saying that Beard may have been defending himself, that he never strangled her and that she never intended to have him arrested.

Beard is currently facing a third-degree felony assault charge. The big question that remains is whether that charge is going to move forward. The short answer is that it's unknown.

Read the full story and watch the video at KVUE.com.

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Getting Deep

Popular Austin deep massage clinic opening new location near Westlake

Photo courtesy of AUSTINDEEP

AustinDeep is known for an intensive approach that gets results.

A gentle massage can be lovely, but some stressed Austinites need some extra oomph. They can get it at AustinDeep, a local massage clinic that specializes in a propriety technique called the Deep Method. There will soon be a third location in the Barton Creek neighborhood — the farthest outside of Austin and the largest so far.

The new location will be at 2700 Barton Creek Blvd., Ste. 110. It'll span 3,000 square feet at the Barton Creek Village, which is near the Barton Creek Country Club, St. Michael's Catholic Preparatory School, and the Barton Creek Greenbelt. This is a new market for the brand, since the existing two locations are relatively close to each other on Congress Ave and Lake Austin Boulevard.

Jessica Price AusitnDeep Masseuse Jessica Price developed a proprietary technique for AustinDeep.Photo courtesy of AUSTINDEEP

The Deep Method targets the fascia, the connective tissue that holds our muscles and other organs together. Ideally, the fascia should be flexible, but sometimes it gets tight from inactivity, overuse, or other issues, causing pain or soreness. When masseuse Jessica Price opened AustinDeep in 2002, she used her background in myofascial release — a very gentle technique — to create a new process that starts with a warming technique, and then adds in deep tissue and trigger point therapy.

The result is more rigorous and may leave clients sore afterwards. As AustinDeep practitioners explain, breaking up all that fascia is an intense workout, even though the therapist is doing much of the work. Price also learned from physical therapists, so this exacting approach that prioritizes results makes a lot of sense.

That might not sound relaxing (and fans of any intense massage techniques will confirm that they usually aren't), but the aftermath is where things start to open up. This clinic calls it getting "Massage Drunk."

Jessica Price AustinDeep Clients may leave feeling drunk.Photo courtesy of AUSTINDEEP

Despite a tough-love massage approach, the new location sounds cushy: There will be 10 therapy rooms with electric lift tables; a lounge with relaxing music and a bar for tea, wine, or even custom flower arrangements; a veranda to enjoy nootropic drinks (brain supplements) or wine; and a retail selection.

The interior design also reflects the departure from the potentially sterile massage clinic norm with lots of plants and jewel tones.

So far there is no opening date set, but AustinDeep is sharing updates when they're available on Instagram. Services start at $85 for 30 minutes. More information is available at austindeep.com.

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