Art Briles, formerly at Baylor and Houston, to be Eastern New Mexico's football coach

Former Baylor head football coach Art Briles has been hired in the same role at Division II Eastern New Mexico, the school announced Monday.

Briles, 69, has been largely out of college football since he was fired by Baylor in 2016 with a 99-65 career record. The former Big 12 Coach of the Year replaces Kelley Lee, who was fired last week after the Greyhounds concluded the 2025 season with a 3-8 record.

“It’s a great moment for me,” Briles said during his introductory news conference Monday. “I hope it’s a great moment for this university. I’m extremely excited to start this journey, this new chapter in our lives.”

ENMU Athletic Director Kevin Fite said he understood hiring Briles was “unique and surprising,” but lauded him for his on-field accomplishments and as a “role model” off it. Fite did not directly address the circumstances of Briles’ firing at Baylor during the news conference.

Fite previously worked with Briles when the former worked as the University of Houston’s associate athletic director for compliance and eligibility. Briles served as the Cougars’ head coach from 2003-07.

“What I want our university community to understand is, I know Art Briles,” Fite said. “I know his family. I know his commitment to impacting the lives of young people. I know he is a tremendous leader.”

In his eight seasons at Baylor, Briles compiled a 65-37 record and resurrected a previously struggling program. He led the Bears to Big 12 titles in 2013 and 2014, but was suspended and then fired amid allegations he mishandled sexual misconduct accusations made against some of his players.

Baylor Athletic Director Ian McCaw and President Kenneth Starr also resigned in the wake of the scandal, one that led to four years of NCAA probation for the football program.

Briles later sued the school for wrongful termination and the case was settled in 2018 with Baylor paying him $15.1 million. He later acknowledged he had made mistakes in the handling of allegations against his players; Briles was not penalized by the NCAA, but was sharply criticized in a 51-page report put out by an NCAA infractions panel in 2021.

“When (Briles) received information from a staff member regarding potential criminal conduct by a football student-athlete, he did not report the information and did not personally look any further into the matter,” the panel reported. “His incurious attitude toward potential criminal conduct by his student-athletes was deeply troubling to the panel.”

When asked about how his perspective has changed since he was fired by Baylor, Briles said he was more concerned about what lies ahead at ENMU than his “last chapter.”

“I kind of learned through the process that a lot of times what’s (unsaid) is best said … People can form their opinions,” he added.

Since his dismissal at Baylor, Briles, a native of Rule, Texas, has coached at a Texas high school and in the Italian Football League. He was hired by Grambling State to be the program’s offensive coordinator in 2022, but stepped down four days later amid public outcry.

After word of his hiring was reported Sunday, Briles said he had to turn off his phone due to a flood of well-wishes from former players and coaches.

Former Baylor quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III posted via social media that he was happy for Briles, adding he would visit the Portales-based campus to support the program.

“He is a great father and coach,” Griffin wrote on X. “Thank you (Eastern New Mexico) for blessing him with this opportunity.”

Former UNM baseball coach Ray Birmingham serves on the five-member ENMU Board of Regents. Monday, he told the Journal he trusts Fite and ENMU President James Johnston but admitted to a “twofold” reaction to the Briles hire.

“I think it will turn out great, but there’s always a bit of caution when you’ve had these things happen in the past,” Birmingham said. “So we’ll keep a close eye on that.”

A former receiver at the University of Houston, Briles coached Texas high school football for 20 years before joining Texas Tech’s staff as a running backs coach in 2000. He was tabbed as the head coach at his alma mater three years later, leading the Cougars to a 34-28 record and one Conference USA championship over five seasons.

Briles was hired by Baylor in 2007 and led the program to unprecedented success while garnering a reputation as an offensive guru.

The Bears led the country in total offense in 2013.

“We’re gonna have fun,” Briles said Monday. “We’re gonna love each other, and we’re gonna get after the Lone Star Conference.”

Briles is married to his wife, Jan, and they have three adult children — Jancy Briles, Staley Lebby and Kendal Briles. Kendal is the offensive coordinator at TCU.

His son-in-law, Jeff Lebby, is the head coach at Mississippi State. Jeff’s father (Mike) — whom Briles called his “best friend” — and brother (Kyle) played football at ENMU.