Relative of alleged Baylor rape victim denounces possible return of Art Briles as coach

A family member of an alleged rape victim at Baylor said Tuesday it that it was “unbelievable that they would even entertain the idea” of bringing back suspended Bears football Coach Art Briles.

Briles was suspended with intent to terminate his employment by Baylor’s Board of Regents last month as part of the school’s response to the scandal involving university leaders’ handling of sexual assault allegations against some Bears football players.

The family member’s comment came amid reports that some prominent Baylor donors were pushing to have Briles serve a one-year suspension and then return as head football coach in 2017.

The relative told Fox Sports he was surprised the university hadn’t shot down such reports “because it’s a place in crisis mode, and they’re trying to recover their image.”

“But then again,” he said, “I’m not really that surprised because obviously this type of thing has been their method of action all along. We were led to believe one thing that was happening, when it wasn’t. It’s actually very similar to how they handled things before.”

The relative was not identified by Fox Sports. Most publications, including The Times, do not publish the names of alleged sexual assault victims unless they have come forward publicly.

Baylor representative Tonya Lewis said the board discussed a “variety of matters” during its meeting Monday night, but did not vote on bringing back Briles.

After becoming head coach in 2008, Briles brought unprecedented success to the Baylor football program, including a 65-37 record and two Big 12 championships in the last three years.

Some donors, many of whom helped finance a $300-million stadium two years ago, say they will stop contributing to the university if Briles isn’t brought back as head coach in 2017, according to Horns Digest.

“This is a very dirty place that we’ve seen has been very conniving and low down,” the family member of alleged victim said. “It’s hard to fathom because not only is this a university, but it’s a Christian university.”

He added: “I’ve hit that point now that I don’t know if I can get any madder.”