Houston denies report that Art Briles is candidate for coaching position

The Houston Cougars denied that former Baylor coach Art Briles was a candidate for their coaching vacancy.

After reports circulated that Briles was on Houston’s shortlist, athletic director Hunter Yurachek issued a statement Saturday stating that he was not under consideration for the position.

“Earlier this week Art Briles expressed interest to me regarding the Houston head coach position,” Yurachek said in the statement, via ESPN. “After discussion with University of Houston leadership, we developed a list of candidates to be interviewed that did not include Art. At this time, we will have no further comment on potential candidates or timeline.”

A source told Brett McMurphy of ESPN that board chairman Tilman Fertitta wanted Briles considered, but Yurachek and school president Renu Khator refused to do so. Briles coached Houston from 2003 to 2007, but his role in Baylor’s sexual assault scandal almost certainly ruined his chances of getting the job.

Houston will instead consider other candidates, including two high-profile names with cleaner histories.