Briles’ triumphs follow tragedy

New head football coach Art Briles introduced his first Baylor signing class yesterday (click the link for a transcript and video), and the recruiting haul bodes good things for the Bears. According to rankings from Rivals.com, it is Baylor’s best group in at least seven years (that’s as far back as their online archives go).

Among the class’ headliners are 4-star quarterback Robert Griffin, a local product from nearby Copperas Cove, and receiver Kendall Wright, who was among ESPN’s top 150 recruits in the nation. With Griffin and fellow freshman-to-be Nick Florence, plus transfers Jeremy Sanders (Navarro JC) and Kirby Freeman (U. of Miami), Baylor’s incoming quarterback class was ranked third in the nation by both Rivals and Scout.com.

Briles said he and his staff “jumped in with both feet” to make up for the short time they had to recruit after coming to Baylor. “I’m not intimidated by circumstances,” Briles has said. “Events in my life made me unafraid.”

The events he referred to include the death of his parents when he was just 20. The Austin American-Statesman recently ran a moving feature on how that has shaped Briles into the man he is today. It’s as good a read as you’ll find into the Bears’ 25th head football coach.

Sic ’em, Coach Briles and Baylor football!