Is Art Briles the Best Fit for the Texas Longhorns?

As we approach Steve Patterson’s January 15th deadline to find a new coach, the speculation and chatter is starting to heat up. I’ve said this before, but I will say it again … the Head Coaching position at Texas is one of the most coveted positions in all of college football. Anyone who says different is off their rocker.

Big names like Nick Saban, Jimbo Fisher, Gus Malzahn and Charlie Strong are being thrown around or thrown out the window (Nick Saban) as a potential replacement. Another name picking up steam is Art Briles.

(Also Read: Reports: Texas Longhorns AD Steve Patterson Sets Deadline for Coaching Hire)

According to Kirk Bohls and Brian Davis of The Austin American-Statesman, Briles would [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]accept the Texas head coaching job:

“The Baylor source said that Briles has no plans to remain in Arizona and is scheduled to return to Waco on Wednesday with the rest of the Baylor team. Two sources, including one close to Briles, has told the Statesman that Briles would accept the Texas job if offered.” (Via The Austin American Statesman)

Briles is a Texas success story. He began his coaching career under the Friday night lights of Texas high school football. His first NCAA head coaching job came in 2003, when he took over at the University of Houston after coaching running backs at Texas Tech.

While at Houston, Briles went 34-28 and was winless in four bowl games. In 2008, he came to Baylor and turned the program around, eventually going 11-2 in 2013 and giving the Bears their first-ever BCS berth. In just six years, Briles has turned the Bears into an offensive juggernaut. In 2013, the Bears led the nation in total offense with 53.3 points per game. 

Briles’ strengths come from his ability to develop players. Specifically, Briles excels at developing quarterbacks. Briles took Rivals.com 3-star quarterback Kevin Kolb and made him into a star. In his third year as the senior starter for the Houston Cougars, Kolb threw for 30 touchdowns with only four interceptions and was taken in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft.

In 2008, Briles got Robert Griffin III to commit to Baylor. Griffin was considering going to Houston, but when Briles moved to Waco, Texas, Griffin enrolled at Baylor. Griffin started four years there and won the Heisman Trophy in 2011. Just like Kolb, Griffin developed in his three-plus years under center.

Briles made Nick Florence a star in 2012 when the quarterback threw for over 4,000 yards with 33 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Florence was once a Rivals.com 3-star quarterback. In 2013, Briles had former Rivals.com 3-star quarterback Bryce Petty throw for 32 touchdowns and four interceptions.

What does this have to do with Texas? Could Gilbert have been the real deal at Texas under Briles, despite an injury in 2011. The Longhorns get the talent, but struggle to develop their players. Could Briles have developed top-rated Garrett Gilbert into the greatest Texas quarterback ever?

That’s a good, but drastic, question. There are a lot of things that need to be answered about all the candidates. Outside of Nick Saban, every other name comes with their own set of question marks.

(Sources: The Bleacher Report, The Austin American Statesman, ESPN)

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Question for the Fans: Would you be happy if Texas hired Art Briles? Sound off below! 

#HookEm