Art Briles recently began the redemption tour that no one is ready for, after he was fired as head coach at Baylor in May, following a well-documented story that featured many disturbing details surrounding the program’s handling of sexual assault allegations. Well, Briles is already attending Baylor football games (again).
Many Twitter users noticed Briles’ presence at Baylor’s road game against Rice in Houston on Friday night, and shared tweets/photos:
Art Briles just pulled up in a pickup truck in the parking lot at Rice Stadium. No joke.
— Greg Glasson (@GJGlasson) September 16, 2016
Art Briles at the Baylor/Rice game pic.twitter.com/gprkDDeLnl
— Greg Glasson (@GJGlasson) September 16, 2016
@Baylor Art Briles in the house. pic.twitter.com/0v6hpD9xmb — SicEm (@BearNTex) September 17, 2016
Coach Briles is sitting on my row at the Rice game! @tedvid @OurDailyBears pic.twitter.com/7unyIgEQgJ — dont stop believing (@justsayin2017) September 17, 2016
So, this is a pretty tone-deaf move. Briles should be nowhere near the Baylor program for a while, even though many of these players are kids he recruited, and even though his son Kendal is Baylor’s offensive coordinator. He will say he’s just there to support these people, and he has that right. But it’s not a good look, and makes it appear as though he still just doesn’t get it.
And this is the worst part:
The loudest ovation for first half is still Art Briles showing up on Baylor sideline. Fans stood and cheered whey they recognized him.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) September 17, 2016