CFL issues statement on Art Briles hiring
By Adam Stocker
The CFL issued a statement following the Hamilton Tiger-Cats hiring former Baylor head coach Art Briles.
Monday morning, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced the hiring of Art Briles. In his last job, Briles was fired by Baylor after he allegedly covered up crimes by his players, including sexual assault. After heavy backlash from fans, media and sponsors, the CFL issued a statement.
“The Commissioner is in continuing discussions with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats regarding the hiring of Art Briles as a coach. We will have no further comment until those discussions have concluded.”
In an interview published earlier in the day, Tiger-Cats CEO Scott Mitchell said the team had informed the league and they had a good discussion. Mitchell also added the team had been doing their due diligence for weeks prior to announcing the hire. In the interview, Mitchell said that team would not be backtracking on their decision despite the negative feedback from fans and the media.
In addition to the CFL, one of the team’s partners and sponsors issued a statement. Barry’s, a Hamilton jewelry store stated they did not support hiring Briles and wanted the Tiger-Cats to reverse their decision. In addition, Barry’s announced they would be donating a portion of their sales to Sexual Assault Centre of Hamilton.
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CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie took over for previous CFL commissioner Jeffery Orridge on June 29. Under Orridge the league had a strict player policy for domestic violence. Former Saskatchewan Roughrider defender Justin Cox was released after he was charged with domestic violence. Orridge announced the league would not let Cox sign with another team after he was found not-guilty. However, the policy does not apply to coaches. The hiring of Briles is the biggest challenge Ambrosie has faced as commissioner of the league.