Just a day after terminating university president Ken Starr, Baylor University is acting to terminate head football coach Art Briles. While few can argue that Briles has made the Baylor Bears an on-field success, controversy off-the-field has surrounded the program and ultimately led to both his and Starr’s downfall.
Baylor Suspends, Prepares to Terminate Art Briles
Baylor officially announced that Briles has been suspended, with an intent to terminate. The move follows a series of ESPN Outside the Lines reports on the prevelance of sexual assaults allegedly committed by Baylor football players. The University has acted to investigate these reports, and the university’s board of regents commissioned and received an independent report from a law firm that investigated the school’s response to allegations of sexual assaults by students, including several Baylor football players.
Following that report, the school released the following statement:
“We were horrified by the extent of these acts of sexual violence on our campus. This investigation revealed the University’s mishandling of reports in what should have been a supportive, responsive and caring environment for students,” Richard Willis, chair of the Baylor Board of Regents, said in a statement.
“The depth to which these acts occurred shocked and outraged us. Our students and their families deserve more, and we have committed our full attention to improving our processes, establishing accountability and ensuring appropriate actions are taken to support former, current and future students.”
They 60-year-old Briles, had eight years remaining on a 10-year contract extension that he signed in November 2013. It is believed that he is making upwards of $6 million per season. In light of the reasons behind his termination it remains to be seen if Baylor University will attempt to get out of paying Briles the full amount owing on his contract.
More to come.
Main Photo via Getty Images.
