Dr. Jack Welch From the Bleachers

 May 15, 2025

Briles Bruised by Social Media, But Never Proven Guilty

A few years ago, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) scheduled former Baylor head football coach Art Briles to speak at their convention. The day before his scheduled appearance, he was quietly removed. The stated reason? Public backlash, most notably on social media.

But no one paying attention knew this was coming. Surely, the AFCA leaders weren’t caught off guard by the controversy Briles’ name can spark. And yet, they folded. Just as others have done before.

Since his dismissal from Baylor in 2016, Briles has seen multiple job opportunities evaporate overnight. First, a consulting job with the Cleveland Browns. Then, a coaching position with the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Most recently, the speaking gig with the AFCA. Each time, public pressure was cited. Each time, organizations reversed decisions they initially stood behind.

Let’s be honest: any organization hiring Briles knows the baggage that comes with his name. The question is not whether the backlash is real, of course it is. The real issue is the lack of backbone by the institutions that hire him and then backtrack. What does it say about an organization when it makes a controversial decision, then abandons it at the first sign of noise?

I believe Art Briles is a good hire. But if you do hire him, someone controversial, you’d better be ready to defend your decision. You should know the fallout is coming and prepare for it.

Let’s deal with facts, not emotions. Has Briles been charged with a crime? No. Not once. Has he been proven guilty of any wrongdoing in a court of law? No. In fact, Baylor University’s own letter to Briles dated May 23, 2017, obtained by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, is telling. Signed by the university’s general counsel, Christopher W. Holmes, the letter states:

“As you speak with others regarding these issues, you can be assured you may make certain statements without fear of contradiction from Baylor based on the information currently known to us. In particular, at this time we are unaware of any situation where you personally had contact with anyone who directly reported to you being the victim of sexual assault or that you directly discouraged the victim of an alleged sexual assault from reporting to law enforcement or University officials. Nor are we aware of any situation where you played a student athlete who had been found responsible for sexual assault.”

This is a far cry from the narrative that Briles was directly involved in covering up sexual assaults. Again, this doesn’t absolve the entire Baylor athletic program or administration of responsibility. But as far as Briles himself is concerned, there is no legal finding of guilt, no criminal charge, and no direct evidence that he knowingly enabled or shielded misconduct.

The pattern here is clear. The social media court rushes to judgment. And organizations fold in response, despite their own vetting, their own decisions, and even, in some cases, the legal facts.

So, let’s be clear: Briles is only controversial because the situation was mishandled. He is not a criminal. He has never been legally proven guilty of any wrongdoing. If institutions choose to hire him, they should do so with full awareness of the potential backlash and the integrity to stand by their decision. Because if you don’t have the conviction to stand behind someone after you’ve offered them a job, maybe don’t offer it in the first place.

Thought for the week,

“It’s so easy to create a controversy.”

— Santhosh Naravanan

Dr. Jack Welch is an educator and professional football coach. His doctorate is in educational administration, and he has been an educator, administrator, and football coach, mentoring young minds, for over 40 years.

He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching.

He can be reached at jackwelch1975@gmail.com.