Tennessee's reported interest in Kendal Briles drawing mixed reaction from media, fans
There are reports that Kendal Briles will be interviewing for Tennessee’s offensive coordinator opening, and it has drawn mixed reaction from many on Twitter, including media members and fans.
Briles, who just completed his first season as Houston offensive coordinator, was on Baylor’s staff from 2008-16. His father, Art, was the Bears’ head coach from 2008-15.
The elder Briles was fired by Baylor amid the school’s investigation into sexual assault allegations against former players during early 2016. University officials reportedly failed to take appropriate action when learning of the allegations.
The younger Briles left Baylor after the 2016 season to become the offensive coordinator at Florida Atlantic, where he spent one season.
Vols Twitter has had an influence on coaching decisions in the past. Last offseason, there was backlash when reports were released that Tennessee planned to hire Greg Schiano as its head coach. Schiano was a Penn State assistant during the time period of the child sex abuse scandal.
Here’s what several media members and fans were saying about the latest Briles rumors:
Tennessee fans aren't outraged about interviewing Kendal Briles because it was NEVER about Greg Schiano being on Penn State's staff it was ALWAYS about just not wanting him as head coach.
— John Hayes (@JohnHayesOnAir) December 6, 2018
There’s plenty of fans who are not happy about interviewing Briles. Trust me
— Jayson Swain (@SwainEvent) December 6, 2018
Kendal Briles a possibility for UT Vols OC huh.
Fine. Guess I’ll just get started on the next book tonight. Maybe I’ll do a buy 1, get the 2nd at half price.
Why not. pic.twitter.com/mZAPM9NvLw— Mark Nagi (@MarkNagi) December 5, 2018
Man, the report about Pruitt interviewing Kendal Briles has me all kinds of conflicted. Genuinely not sure how I would feel about it if he was hired.
— Charlie Burris (@Charlie_Burris) December 6, 2018
Kendal Briles-
GREAT OC.
Wouldn’t be the face of the program.
Said they had a bunch of white women that liked football players. (HEARSAY!)Sounds like 2 different situations IMO
— Dylon McGregor (@DylonMcGregor13) December 6, 2018
If Brian Kelly can kill a man and still be Notre Dame’s HFC, the Kendal Briles/Hugh Freeze can be an OC
— CelticsEnjoyer (@Tennesota) December 6, 2018
Did a little research into Kendal Briles last night. From what I gathered, he may have had some shady recruiting tactics, but was not directly tied to the Baylor scandal. However, he’s not been completely cleared from it. Seems like there could be a gray area with him.
— Travis Cabage (@Travis_Cabage) December 6, 2018