Art Briles Returns to College Football After Being Hired by Division II Program

Former Baylor coach Art Briles has been hired by Eastern New Mexico University to lead its Division II football program. The announcement came after the firing of previous coach Kelley Lee, following a 3–8 season. Athletic director Kevin Fite expressed enthusiasm for Briles joining the team, highlighting his coaching expertise.

Briles returns to college football nearly a decade after being dismissed from Baylor in 2016 due to his handling of sexual assault allegations involving players. His tenure at Baylor included significant achievements, such as winning two Big 12 championships and coaching Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III. Briles received a $15.1 million settlement upon his departure from Baylor.

Despite not securing a college coaching position until now, Briles continued to work in football, including stints with Guelfi Firenze in Italy and Mount Vernon High School. In 2023, he was ruled not negligent in a lawsuit filed by a Baylor student related to the 2014 assault case.