Briles Apologizes
A remorseful Art Briles apologized Wednesday for his actions or lack thereof during a sexual-assault scandal that ultimately cost him his job at Baylor earlier this year.
The former Bears coach told ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi in an interview that he made mistakes.
“I did wrong, but I’m not doing this trying to make myself feel better for apologizing,” Briles told ESPN. “I understand I made some mistakes. There was some bad things that went on under my watch. I was the captain of this ship. The captain of the ship goes down with it.
“So I understand that I made some mistakes, and for that I’m sorry. But I’m not trying to plead for people’s sympathy. I’m just stating that, ‘Hey, I made some mistakes. I was wrong. I’m sorry. I’m gonna learn. I’m gonna do better.”
Briles previously said he had never done anything wrong or immoral. However, his failure to take action as the scandal unfolded with multiple players involved was revealed in an investigation of the program.
Among the findings were that Briles recruited two players who were accused of sexual assault and dismissed from their previous schools for various off-the-field issues.
The investigation led by Philadelphia law firm Pepper Hamilton determined there were multiple instances of misconduct.
The case also resulted in former Baylor president Kenneth Starr being let go and athletic director Ian McCaw resigning.
Briles, 60, agreed to leave his job in June after eight successful seasons in a settlement with the university. He hopes to get back into coaching as early as the end of the current season.
Former Ohio University and Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe was named as Briles’ acting replacement just days after the school parted ways with Briles, who had eight years remaining on his contract after signing a 10-year extension in November 2013.
Briles turned around Baylor’s program from a loser to a school that went 50-15 in the past five years.
The Bears, who are ranked No. 23 in the nation, routed Northwestern State 55-7 last Friday night in the season opener.
