PORTALES, N.M. – Art Briles is the next head football coach at Eastern New Mexico University. Director of athletics Kevin Fite announces the decision on Monday morning.

"I am excited to welcome Art (Briles) to Eastern New Mexico University," said Fite on the hire. "He is an excellent coach, and I look forward to the future of Greyhound football."

Briles, a native of Rule, Texas, has coached football for 40+ years. The 2013 AP College Football Coach of the Year led the University of Houston (2002-07) and Baylor (2008-15) to 10 bowl games and a 99-65 overall record.

With the Bears, Briles compiled a 65-37 mark over eight seasons. His squads won two Big 12 championships and earned six bowl berths. In 2011, quarterback Robert Griffin III won the Heisman Trophy under the guidance of coach Briles.

In Houston, he helped the Cougars go 34-28 over five seasons, including four bowl games and a Conference USA championship.

He has coached four NFL starting quarterbacks - Kevin Kolb, Case Keenum, Robert Griffin III, and Bryce Petty.

At the high school level, Briles holds a record of 185-49-1. He began his head coaching career at Hamlin High School in 1984 and has had stops at Georgetown (1986-87), Stephenville (1988-99), and Mount Vernon (2019-20). With Stephenville, he won four 4A state championships over 12 seasons. Recently, Stephenville ISD built Art Briles Stadium.

Kevin Fite and Art Briles both worked at the University of Houston at the same time. Fite served as the associate athletic director for compliance and eligibility while Briles served as head football coach.

He is married to wife, Jan, and they have three adult children – Jancy Briles, Staley Lebby, and Kendal Briles.

His son-in-law, Jeff Lebby, is the head coach at Mississippi State. Jeff's father (Mike) and brother (Kyle) played football at Eastern New Mexico University. Briles son, Kendal, is the offensive coordinator at TCU.

Briles holds a bachelor's degree from Texas Tech (1978) and a master's from Abilene Christian (1984). His hometown, Rule, Texas, is approximately four hours away from Portales.

An introductory press conference will be held at 2 p.m. inside the Becky Sharp Auditorium in the College of Business. All are invited to attend. Media should send a message to assistant athletic director for marketing and communications, Jose Montoya, regarding attendance.

Link to press conference - https://www.youtube.com/live/w6d1QC1Q68w 

Eastern New Mexico Athletics branding materials can be found here – https://goeasternathletics.com/sports/2016/12/15/media-relations.aspx

For media inquiries, please contact:
Jose Montoya
Assistant Athletic Director, Marketing and Communications
Eastern New Mexico University Athletics
jose.montoya1@enmu.edu
575-562-2236