Art Briles is no longer Baylor's head coach.
The school announced its intent to fire Briles Thursday as it released the findings of an independent investigation into the way the school has handled accusations of sexual assaults. The school said in a release that Briles is officially suspended with the intent to terminate.
In a statement addressing the investigation, the chair of Baylor's board of regents said the board was shocked and outraged. The report details misconduct within the football program and that "in some cases, football coaches and staff had inapprorpriate involvement in disciplinary and criminal matters or engaged in improper conduct that reinforced an overall perception that football was above the rules and that there was no culture of accountability for misconduct."
The news of Briles' firing was first reported by ESPN 1660, ESPN and other outlets.
Most notably, former football players Tevin Elliott and Sam Ukwuachu have been convicted of rape while others, including former defensive end Shawn Oakman, have been accused of rape.
The school is currently being sued by one of Elliott's alleged victims for its alleged indifference towards her sexual assault complaint. Schools are required by federal law to investigate reports of sexual assault and an Outside the Lines report earlier this spring said the school waited almost two years to look at a claim against two former football players.
One of the accused players, tight end Tre'Von Armstead, was dismissed during the 2015 season for what was termed a team rules violation. The complaint against Ukwuachu only became public just before his trial was slated to begin.
Briles had a record of 65-37 in his eight seasons at Baylor. His team was 10-3 in 2015 and beat North Carolina in the Russell Athletic Bowl. According to Yahoo's Pat Forde, defensive coordinator Phil Bennett will be the interim coach.
 | @YahooForde | |
Baylor expected to make defensive coordinator Phil Bennett interim coach, per source. Kendall Briles to remain on staff as of now.
| ||
Briles may also be the only person from the staff fired as well.
 | @SicEmSports | |
We understand the entire #Baylor coaching staff is staying on.
| ||
The school was forced to address the job status of president Ken Starr following Tuesday reports that Starr had been fired. As of Tuesday evening, Baylor said Starr was still the president, though Thursday it said Starr will now simply be the university's chancellor. He has served as both the president and chancellor.
Athletic director Ian McCaw has also been "sanctioned and placed on probation."
After news of Briles' firing broke, Baylor wasted no time getting rid of Briles' Twitter handle.
 | @max_olson | |
 | ||
Briles reportedly notified his players of the firing via a group text before it became public.
 | @JessicaMorrey | |
Per source, here is the group text that Art Briles sent his players today #Baylor pic.twitter.com/4yGb1HLX1L
 | ||
And here's how some current and former players reacted.
Injustice— Andrew Morris (@Andrew_Morris91) May 26, 20
 | @OStewBU | |
Only reason I'm here today is Coach B.. Took a chance on a skinny ass kid wit barely any offers but had had faith in me and I did it 4 him!!
| ||
you let go of the man who made this university relevant?— 1⃣ (@tyoung_01) May 26, 2016
i bet if we was 1-10 this wouldn't even make the local news
No comments:
Post a Comment