Arthur Ray Briles.
b. December 3, 1955, in Rule, Texas.
College football coach.

When Art Briles lost his beloved parents and an aunt in a 1976 automobile accident, he thought his world had ended.

At just 20-years-old, Art was completely grief-stricken. At the time of his parent's death, he was the split-end on the University of Houston's football team. Art always had his parents (Dennis and Wanda Briles) in the stands cheering him on, and waving to him - until the accident.

Art Briles was traumatized by the tragedy. But he had an older brother Eddie, close family and friends, and his Christian faith to lean on. He was determined, however possible, to persevere and honor his parent's memory.

Briles quickly transferred from the University of Houston to Texas Tech to be closer to family. He earned a bachelor's degree from Tech three years later. In 1984, he received a master's degree in education from Abilene Christian.

Like his father, Briles acknowledges that coaching was in his blood'. At his Rule, Texas high school, he played quarterback for his father who was also the team coach.

His first coaching opportunity came in 1979 at Sundown High School. Over the next 13 years, Art Briles enjoyed several assistant coach positions and head coach positions at several secondary schools.

But the major career break for Briles occurred in 2003. He was awarded the head-coaching job of the Houston Cougars at the University of Houston, his alma mater. He held this position until 2007.

During his time at Houston, Briles transformed the Cougar's from a sluggish team to an impressive football program.

The Cougars failed to win a bowl games under Briles. The teams did, however, make three bowl appearances in 5 seasons and even hosted a Conference USA game.

Art Briles was well respected as a man and a coach at Houston. When he left Houston in 2007 to take the head coach job at Baylor, he became the victim of scorn and resentment.

Many fans felt betrayed by Briles who left Houston one month before the Texas Bowl game. Fans were further aggravated that Briles sold out to another Texas team who is a Big 12 bottomfeeder.

Briles accepted a 7-year contact that will pay him a staggering $1.2 million per year as Baylor's head coach. This far exceeds the $900 000 he made in Houston where his record was at best average.

The 52-year-old Briles and his new Baylor Bears have a long road ahead. Baylor has continually struggled as a team since 1995. They ended the 2007 season with 12 consecutive conference losses. Perhaps Briles can turn things around in Waco in the 2008 season.

Art Briles is married to Jan. The couple has 2 daughters, Jancy and Staley, and a son named Kendal. All three children attended the University of Houston. Kendal Briles is the quarterback of the Houston Cougars.

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