Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Art Briles

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Art Briles made an impact.

Art Briles is an American football coach, most notably the former head coach of the Houston Cougars and Baylor Bears. He achieved significant success at Baylor, transforming the program into a national contender. However, his tenure ended in scandal; he was fired in 2015 due to his alleged mishandling of sexual assault allegations within the football program. Briles has authored 'Beating Goliath' and is the subject of the biography 'Looking Up'. He currently coaches in the Italian Football League.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1973: Led Rule HS to State Championship Game

In 1973, as a senior quarterback at Rule High School, Art Briles led his team to the Texas Class B state championship game. However, they lost to Big Sandy.

1977: Played in Cotton Bowl Classic

In 1977, Art Briles played in the Cotton Bowl Classic for the University of Houston after switching to wide receiver. He played for three seasons at Houston

1980: Assistant at Sweetwater High School

In 1980, Art Briles began serving as an assistant coach at Sweetwater High School, a position he held until 1983.

1983: End of Assistant Coaching at Sweetwater HS

In 1983, Art Briles ended his time serving as an assistant coach at Sweetwater High School.

1984: Began Coaching in Texas

In 1984, Art Briles began serving as a head football coach in Texas.

1984: Head Coach at Hamlin High School

In 1984, at the age of 28, Art Briles became the head coach at Hamlin High School, a 2A school.

1985: State Semifinals Loss

In 1985, Art Briles coached Hamlin High School to a 27-1-1 record, which included a loss to Electra High School in the state semifinals.

1986: Coaching Job at Georgetown HS

In 1986, Art Briles left Hamlin High School for Georgetown High School. This was Georgetown High School's first two seasons at the highest classification in Texas high school football.

1987: Left Georgetown High School

In 1987, Art Briles left Georgetown High School after a difficult two-year span.

1988: Head Coach at Stephenville High School

In 1988, Art Briles became the head coach at Stephenville High School in Stephenville, Texas.

1990: Playoff Berth

In 1990, Art Briles' Stephenville squads made the playoffs and continued to do so every year during his tenure.

1993: State Championship Win

In 1993, Art Briles' Stephenville squad won a state championship, facing La Marque, then coached by Alan Weddell.

1993: 89 Rushing Touchdowns

In 1993, Art Briles' Stephenville team scored 89 touchdowns rushing, which was the second all-time in the nation.

1994: State Championship Repeat

In 1994, Art Briles' Stephenville squad won another state championship, facing La Marque, then coached by Alan Weddell.

1994: 96 Rushing Touchdowns

In 1994, Art Briles' Stephenville team scored 96 touchdowns rushing, which was the third all-time in the nation.

1998: Spread Offense

In 1998, Art Briles team posted 8,664 yards of total offense, breaking the national record of 8,588 yards. Briles also adapted the spread offense, helping to introduce it to Texas high school football.

1998: State Championship Win

In 1998, Art Briles' Stephenville squad won a state championship.

1999: Ended High School Coaching Stint

In 1999, Art Briles ended his first high school coaching stint with a record of 165-46-3.

1999: Joined Texas Tech Staff

In 1999, Art Briles left Stephenville to join Mike Leach's staff at Texas Tech as running backs coach.

1999: State Championship Win

In 1999, Art Briles' Stephenville squad won a state championship.

2002: Improved Rushing Average at Texas Tech

By 2002, Art Briles improved Texas Tech's rushing average to 99.6 yards a game from 66.4 yards a game in his first year.

2003: Hired as Head Coach at University of Houston

In 2003, Art Briles was hired as head coach at the University of Houston. In his first season, he led the Cougars to a 7-5 record, including a loss in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl.

2005: Bowl Game Appearance

In 2005, Art Briles guided the Cougars to a 6-6 season and another bowl game.

December 1, 2006: Conference USA Championship

On December 1, 2006, Art Briles led the Cougars to a 10-4 record and the Conference USA Championship, where they defeated their opponent 34-20.

November 27, 2007: Interviewed for Baylor Head Coach Position

On November 27, 2007, Art Briles interviewed for the Baylor head coach position, and was hired the next day for a seven-year term.

December 28, 2007: Houston's Texas Bowl Appearance

On December 28, 2007, Houston made a Texas Bowl appearance, but Art Briles had left the Cougars before their bowl game to take the head coaching job at Baylor.

2010: Winning Season and Bowl Appearance

In 2010, Art Briles led Baylor to a 7-5 record, their first winning season and bowl appearance in 15 years. They lost the Texas Bowl to Illinois.

2011: Successful Season, Heisman Trophy

In 2011, Art Briles led Baylor to a 10-3 record and a win in the Valero Alamo Bowl. The team also had upset victories over Oklahoma and Texas. Robert Griffin III, Baylor's quarterback, was awarded the Heisman Trophy.

2012: Upsets and Holiday Bowl Invitation

In 2012, Art Briles' Bears defeated the #1 ranked Kansas State Wildcats. The Bears finished the season strong and earned an invitation to the Holiday Bowl in San Diego.

2013: Best Season in School History

In 2013, Art Briles led Baylor to one of the best seasons in school history, finishing with a school-record 11 wins and the Big 12 title. They earned a trip to the 2014 Fiesta Bowl.

2014: Fiesta Bowl Appearance

In 2014, Art Briles and Baylor lost to the University of Central Florida 52-42 in the Fiesta Bowl. Briles announced he would remain at Baylor.

2014: Big 12 Co-Champions and Cotton Bowl Berth

In 2014, Art Briles's Bears finished with another 11 win season and repeated as Big 12 Co-Champions, earning a berth in the 2015 Cotton Bowl.

2015: Cotton Bowl Loss

In 2015, Art Briles and Baylor lost the Cotton Bowl game against the Michigan State Spartans, despite holding a significant lead. The team finished the year ranked #7 in the AP poll.

August 28, 2017: Briles hired and then not hired by Hamilton Tiger-Cats

On August 28, 2017, Art Briles was hired as assistant head coach for offense by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats but, due to criticism and league pressure, the offer was rescinded hours later.

August 2, 2018: Briles hired as head coach in Italy

On August 2, 2018, Art Briles was announced as the head coach of the Guelfi Firenze American football team in Florence, Italy.

May 2019: Briles hired by Mount Vernon High School

In May 2019, Art Briles was hired as the head coach for Mount Vernon High School in Texas on a two-year deal.

November 16, 2019: Mount Vernon Tigers lose playoff game

On November 16, 2019, the Mount Vernon Tigers, coached by Briles, lost to the Sabine Cardinals in the first round of the Texas high school playoffs, 20–14.