If Lane Kiffin didn’t already have his new FAU program under a pretty large microscope this season, the informal connection to former Baylor head coach Art Briles may be another reason why it should.
In a story published by the Sun Sentinel, FAU offensive coordinator Kendal Briles says he is in constant communication with his father, the former Baylor football coach fired amid controversy and turmoil from a scandal in Waco, and discussing possible ways to improve the offensive attack the Owls will use this season. On the surface, this is hardly a surprise, because what son wouldn’t at times turn to their football coach father for some words of advice from time to time?
“Obviously, he has ideas,” Kendal said in the story from the Sun Sentinel. “He wants to know personnel and different guys and making sure we’re getting those guys in the right spots and getting them touches and all that stuff. He’s a football coach, that’s all he’s ever been. He’s definitely involved and we talk daily.”
That Kendal and Lane Kiffin would want to keep an open line of communication open with Art Briles for some football insight is not shocking. As far as offense goes, Art Briles can offer a lot to any program seeking his advice. What is noteworthy though is FAU isn’t bringing the older Briles on the football staff as an offensive analyst. At least, not yet.
A number of football programs have added analysts to their football staffs over the years. These analysts assist in film breakdowns, game planning and more but do not have direct coaching contact with players. They are essentially a coaching staff’s scout team in the film room, and having good football minds is key to having a well-prepared team. There is a reason Alabama and Michigan have invested so much in their analysts over the years, and it seems as though FAU is as close to establishing a similar relationship with Art Briles as they can without formally making that hire.
To be blunt, the last thing FAU needs is to hire Art Briles in any position of any kind. So for now, keeping some distance between the program and the elder Briles is a wise move, and that is exactly why it should not be shocking if and when Kiffin decides to bring the former Baylor coach back into an official football staff position as an analyst. For Art, it would be the best possible move to get back in the game because he won’t be hired to be a head coach anywhere anytime soon. His most likely return will come as an offensive coordinator or an analyst.
And with Kiffin already hiring Kendal Briles following the Baylor scandal and creating headlines for adding so many transfers from Last Chance U, it would seem only fitting for Kiffin to go the extra yard and bring Art Briles in the fold in an official capacity.
After all, this is Last Strike U, right?
