Southern Miss a ‘no’ on Art Briles

Southern Mississippi administrators and football coach Jay Hopson disagree on whether the school should hire former Baylor head coach Art Briles for a position on the Golden Eagles’ football staff.

Hopson believes it should. President Rodney D. Bennett and interim athletic director Jeff Mitchell believe it shouldn’t — and they have the final say.

The school released a statement Wednesday morning from Bennett and Mitchell confirming the school had met with Briles but that “following that meeting, we informed him that he is not a candidate.”

Hopson released his own statement just minutes after the school’s release, saying he respects the president’s decision but disagrees with it and that Briles “deserves a second chance.”

Southern Miss has been searching for a new offensive coordinator. The 63-yearold Briles, who led the Bears to consecutive Big 12 titles in 2013 and 2014, was fired after an external investigation revealed in May 2016 that Baylor had for years mishandled numerous sexual assault allegations by students, including some against football players.

The Pepper Hamilton firm’s investigation found at least 17 women who reported being sexually assaulted by 19 football players. Briles has insisted he did not cover up reports of assaults by players and that he encouraged women involved in the alleged incidents to go to the police.

Baylor is still waiting for the outcome of an NCAA investigation into the school’s conduct. Even so, Hopson was willing to hire Briles.