Former Baylor head football coach Art Briles sued four school officials Thursday, according to ESPN. Briles accuses the officials—three school regents and one vice president—of libel and slander.
Briles says the four officials falsely stated that he failed to report assaults and alleged gang rapes committed by his players after he was made aware of them. The lawsuit also accuses the officials of conspiracy, and Briles seeks damages for emotional distress and potentially ending his coaching career.
"Some people think themselves above the law, but the laws of Texas establish accountability for everyone, even renegade, self-dealing regents of a Christian university," the lawsuit states.
The accused parties are Baylor regents Chairman Ronald Murff, board members J. Cary Gray and David Harper, and Baylor Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Reagan Ramsower.
Briles’ lawsuit asserts these officials spread false information in media interviews. For example, one extensive, eye-opening Wall Street Journal report in October included interviews with regents.
According to the lawsuit, the assertions that Briles was aware of attacks that he did not report were not true, and were intended to “expose Coach Briles to public hatred, contempt, ridicule and cause him financial injury."
"These defendants have been relentless in their false attacks upon Coach Briles in the media despite his repeated requests they cease and retract their onslaught of untruths," the lawsuit said.
Briles was fired in May following an investigation into how the Baylor football program handled reports of alleged sexual and physical assaults. Briles, who has been mentioned in contention for other coaching jobs but has not landed one, denies wrongdoing.
