MT VERNON, Texas — Former Baylor University head football coach Art Briles is back doing what he does best - in the state where he had the most success. Briles was announced as Mount Vernon high school's head football coach Friday evening.
"We are pleased to welcome Coach Briles back home to Texas," Mount Vernon ISD superintendent Jason McCullough said in a statement. "He brings with him a wealth of not only football experience but also life experience. He is passionate about investing in the lives of young people and helping them to succeed both on the field and in life."
Briles coached at Baylor University from 2008 to 2016. The now 63 year-old was fired amid a sexual assault scandal surrounding the football team in May of 2016. A Wall Street Journal article, that based on interviews with Baylor regents, found that 17 women reported domestic violence or sexual assault incidents involving 19 football players since 2011, Briles’ fourth year at BU.
"I began my coaching career in the Friday night lights of Texas high school football, and I'm looking forward to returning to my roots," Briles said in a statement. "I have learned many lessons during my time as a coach. Some lessons are born out of success and others out of failure. But they all present opportunities to grow, to learn, and to teach, as we strive for excellence both on and off the field."
Briles is no stranger to "Lone Star State" high school football. For two decades, Briles was coaching under the Friday night lights in Texas, including a 10-year run as Stephenville's head coach from 1989-1999. The football coach would then move up to the college level to serve as the head coach at Houston from 2003-2007.
At Baylor, Briles had a record of 65-37 and won the Bears first ever Big 12 title in 2013.
Mt. Vernon ISD hopes that Briles can continue the winning tradition without the scandals.
