Art Briles says he’s ‘dumbfounded’ by Baylor firing

Former Baylor coach Art Briles described himself as “dumbfounded” over his firing from the school earlier this summer.

Art Briles described himself Tuesday as “dumbfounded” over his firing from Baylor earlier this summer.

Briles made the comments to ESPN’s Todd Archer while visiting Cowboys training camp.

Baylor suspended Briles with the intent to terminate in May in the wake of a widespread sexual assault scandal involving numerous members of the football team. Briles and the school officially parted ways in June.

“I'm dumbfounded and trying to process everything as it goes, but it is what it is,” Briles said about the situation. “Reality is reality and so what I've got to do is redefine myself and start a new chapter. And that's what I'm doing.”

• A timeline of the Baylor sexual assault scandal

Briles was successful in terms of on-field performance at Baylor, and he expects to be a candidate for coaching jobs at the end of the year.

“I hope November, December, that's the plan," Briles said about a coaching return. “Unfortunately some job will come open. I've never rooted against anybody or any team, but that's the nature of the business, so we'll see what happens then. But like I said it's going to be a new journey and I'm excited to take it. I really am.”

• Baylor player arrested for stalking previously accused of sexual assault

Baylor hired Jim Grobe to replace Briles, though much of Briles’s staff returned after his firing.

Baylor president Ken Starr was demoted as a result of the scandal, while Ian McCaw resigned as athletic director. Starr is still with the school as a professor.

[ESPN]