Following rampant allegations of sexual assault against numerous members of the Baylor University football team, Baylor University and Art Briles have “mutually agreed to terminate their employment relationship," according to a statement released Friday.
The separation is effective immediately.
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Both the university and Briles “acknowledge that there were serious shortcomings in the response to reports of sexual violence by some student-athletes,” according to the statement. It adds that Baylor is working to address to “address those shortcomings” and make improvements going forward. The university will not issue further statements or comments, according to the Waco Tribune-Herald.
Briles was suspended from his role as football coach at the program on May 26, with intent to terminate. That decision came from the Board of Regents after it received a report from the independent law firm Pepper Hamilton over its investigation that showed the “institutional response to Title IX and related compliance issues through the lens of specific cases.” He filed a motion on June 16 alleging wrongful termination, according to the Associated Press.
After his initial suspension was announced, Scout.com reported that the Board of Regents was actually considering suspending Briles for a year. An ESPN "Outside the Lines" report detailed allegations of sexual assaults and the handling of those within the football program. Baylor is facing multiple Title IX lawsuits, according to reports.
Former Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe was previously named interim coach for the program.