Coaches conclave cancels Briles’ talk

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The American Football Coaches Association canceled former Baylor coach Art Briles’ speaking appearance at its convention.

Briles was scheduled to appear Tuesday in Charlotte in a breakout session called “Standing Strong / Game Management.”

Briles was fired in 2016 after an external investigation by Baylor found that the school mishandled numerous sexual assault allegations by students, including some against football players. Briles has acknowledged he made mistakes as Bears head coach but also has pushed back on some of the claims against him while trying to re-enter the coaching profession.

Word of Briles’ planned appearance at the convention prompted criticism on social media. AFCA executive director Todd Berry released a statement, saying “due to concerns, we have decided to cancel his session.”

Odds and ends

Former Baylor quarterback Zach Smith has transferred to Tulsa and will be eligible to play in 2019. Golden Hurricane coach Philip Montgomery is a former offensive coordinator for the Bears who recruited Smith to Baylor. Smith will sit out the upcoming season because of NCAA transfer rules and will have two years of eligibility remaining. … New Texas A&M football coach Jimbo Fisher announced that former Green Bay Packers defensive assistant Jerry Montgomery will become associate head coach and defensive line coach for the Aggies. Montgomery will share defensive-line coaching duties with Terry Price, who was retained from Kevin Sumlin’s staff. … Southern California receiver Deontay Burnett is skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft. Burnett was the Trojans’ leading receiver this season, catching 86 passes for 1,114 yards and nine touchdowns.