Former Ticats assistant Art Briles nixed as possible candidate for high school job in Texas

Disgraced former Baylor head coach Art Briles, who was briefly hired by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last season, has seen another potential employment opportunity met by vocal opposition.

According to online reports that surfaced last week, Briles was being floated as a potential candidate for a position coaching high school in Waco, Texas. There was, however, a swift negative reaction to the idea online. A sampling:

https://twitter.com/BigOShow/status/1017912722363748352

Waco High congrats!!!! You have sold your soul to the devil. Hiring art briles is about as disgusting as it gets. Can you imagine what the victims parents are thinking. Truly disapointed

— Kyle Harmon (@TheKyleHarmon15) July 13, 2018

Last August, the Ticats were the subject of widespread criticism after hiring Briles as an offensive assistant to head coach June Jones.

Briles was fired as the head coach of Baylor University in May 2016 after an investigation discovered the school mishandled numerous sexual assault allegations, including some against football players and that “football personnel chose not to report sexual violence and dating violence.”

One former player is serving a 20-year sentence for sexual assault and the school is still facing a number of lawsuits related to the scandal, though it recently settled one with a former female student who reported being gang-raped by up to eight Baylor football players in 2012 while Briles was in charge.

Ticats team owner Bob Young and CEO Scott Mitchell both apologized for hiring Briles, an offer that was rescinded the next day following an outcry from fans and an intervention by the CFL.

After negative reaction to the recent Briles rumour, the athletic director at the Waco school said he was never actually a candidate but confirmed there were discussions.

Regarding the Waco High/Art Briles RUMOR – I just spoke with AD Johnny Tusa who confirmed to me that Art Briles was never a candidate for the head coaching job. He never actually applied. They just had an informal conversation. Waco High will wrap up interviews tomorrow #txhsfb

— Jessica Morrey (@JessicaMorrey) July 15, 2018

While Baylor may have issued a letter which supposedly cleared Briles and handed him a payout worth more than $15 million, it would seem the larger football community – including potential employers – are less forgiving.