Former Houston and Baylor Coach Art Briles Takes Over at Eastern New Mexico

Former Houston head football coach Art Briles is returning to the sidelines, this time at Eastern New Mexico University. The longtime coach, who previously led programs at the University of Houston and Baylor, accepted the job this week. His new role draws renewed attention from Houston-area fans who followed his early coaching rise.

Briles last coached at the college level in 2015. He departed Baylor after a major controversy involving the school’s handling of sexual assault cases. Since then, he has worked in international and high school football. His move to Eastern New Mexico marks his first return to an NCAA program in nearly a decade.

Briles' Houston Ties Remain Significant

Briles coached the University of Houston Cougars from 2003 to 2007. During his tenure, he improved the program’s competitiveness and helped revive fan enthusiasm. Many UH supporters remember his offensive innovations and the foundation he helped build before leaving for Baylor.

Because of that legacy, Houston sports fans still follow his career with interest. While Eastern New Mexico is far from the national spotlight, the hire represents another chapter in a career deeply connected to the city.

Why It Matters for the University of Houston

Briles’ return to college football highlights the long-term impact of former UH coaches who shaped the program’s identity. His tenure helped modernize the Cougars’ play style and set up later success under coaches like Kevin Sumlin and Tom Herman.

The news also brings Briles' complicated legacy back into public discussion. UH fans familiar with his accomplishments and controversies may see this move as a reminder of how coaching transitions affect a program’s trajectory for years.

How Houston Fans Are Reacting

Reactions among UH supporters are mixed. Some fans remember Briles as a coach who brought excitement back to Robertson Stadium. Others see his post-Houston history, especially at Baylor, as overshadowing his earlier work. Even so, his new role prompts reflection on how far the Cougars have come since his departure.

• Briles went 34–28 at UH.
• He led the Cougars to the 2006 Conference USA Championship.
• Several standout players from that era credit him for their development.

What’s Next

Eastern New Mexico plans to introduce Briles later this week. The school hopes his experience will help elevate its Division II program. Whether his presence leads to renewed success or renewed controversy remains to be seen.

For Houston-area fans, the move is a notable footnote in the legacy of one of the city’s most polarizing football figures. It also underscores how far the UH program has progressed since his departure nearly two decades ago.

This article is a summary of reporting by the Albuquerque Journal. Read the full story here.