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Briles Files Motion for New Counsel, Says He Was Wrongfully Fired

via klndonnelly/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Today, former Baylor head football coach Art Briles filed a motion, asking for new representation in a Title IX lawsuit filed against him, the Baylor Board of regents and former athletic director Ian McCaw. 

The motion says Baylor’s representation used information – like text messages and e-mails – obtained from Briles for purposes of the Title IX lawsuit to support his termination,” a move Ernest Cannon, Briles’ personal attorney, says is a direct conflict of interest.

The motion also claims Baylor wrongfully fired Briles and used him as a “camouflage to disguise and distract from its own institutional failure to comply with Title IX and other federal civil rights laws.”

Briles also alleges he wasn’t informed or privy to the moves made by the firm representing Baylor, such as a plan to settle the suit out of court.

Cannon told ESPN’s Outside the Lines “If there's a settlement, Art Briles will not be paying anything because he doesn't owe anything. I don't want to make it look like Art Briles is going to settle or pay because he doesn't owe anything.”

Cannon has also requested his office receive every file involved in any ongoing litigation, including information the university gave to Pepper Hamilton, the Philadelphia law firm that investigated Baylor’s response to sexual assault claims.

The motion also alleges Baylor of fraud, libel and slander, misrepresentation,  and for breach of contract among other things.

Baylor officials weren’t immediately available Thursday afternoon for comment.